Saakashvili Meets Vice President of the European Commission

The President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili met with the Vice President of the European Commission - European Commissioner for Transport – Siim Kallas today. The sides discussed the projects planned in the transport sphere within the scope of future relations. They also focused attention on the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Georgia and integration of the country in trans-European transport systems.

“I know that you intensively cooperate with Vera Kobalia on transport issues. We have improved many things in this direction. The Minister of Economic Development has taken all of your suggestions into consideration. We have support on every issue regarding the Council of Europe and the European Union. Catherine Ashton was here two days ago, and before her Nicolas Sarkozy visited Georgia, who passed a historic resolution regarding Georgia and all of this is creating an extremely good atmosphere for us,” noted Mikheil Saakashvili while talking with Siim Kallas.

The Vice President of the European Commission also talked about the important progress of Georgia in this direction and noted that in this sense, Georgia is exemplary among the Eastern Partnership countries. The sides also discussed plans of future development within the scope of the modern transport sphere, in compliance with international standards.

“Georgia is a leader among the states of the Eastern Partnership. Air traffic is extremely important among the transport issues. In this sense we have already begun negotiations with Ukraine and Azerbaijan. It is necessary to follow international norms in terms of aviation. Everything is going according to plan and I think Georgia will acquire a new certificate soon,” stated the Vice President of the European Commission.

Mikheil Saakashvili also noted that it is necessary to cooperate in terms of sea transportation. According to him, Georgia has 18,000 sailors, who must be able to find jobs.

The Minister of Economic Development of Georgia –Vera Kobalia and the Representative of the European Union in Georgia – Philip Dimitrov also attended the meeting.

Siim Kallas was in Georgia for a two day visit.