Press Release
Luc Frieden supports a stable and democratic Georgia

Date of release : 17-02-2005

Policy area : General Affairs and External Relations

In the framework of the Luxembourg Presidency of the European Union, Luc Frieden, the Minister for Defense and Justice, made an official visit to Georgia on Wednesday, 16 February 2005. During the talks with Mikhaïl Saakashvili, the President of the Republic of Georgia, and with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Salomé Zourabichvili, Minister Frieden underlined the importance to Europe of stability in the Caucasus area.

During a press conference in Tbilisi, Luc Frieden stated that the stability and democracy of that country, situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, with Russia to the north and Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan to the south, is essential to European and international security. According to the Minister, both the European Union and Luxembourg are prepared to support Georgia in the implementation of the reforms initiated to help stabilize and democratize the country and to find, together with the partners of the European Union and Georgia's neighbours, international solutions to ensure the security of the region, especially the border with Russia.

In his capacity as current President of the Council of Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs, Minister Frieden held talks with the persons responsible for EUJUST THEMIS in Tbilisi. This mission, composed of eight European judges, is the first mission to strengthen the rule of law carried out in the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy. The Minister emphasised the importance of this mission and reviewed with the experts the results that will be presented at the end of its mandate this July. For Luc Frieden, the civil framework, and especially the institutional strengthening of the judicial system and the training of the police forces in accordance with international norms, is essential to achieving the objectives of the European Security and Defence Policy, in Georgia and elsewhere.