Minister Dermot Ahern receives Georgian Foreign Minister on Visit to Dublin

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dermot Ahern, T.D., this afternoon welcomed Georgian Foreign Minister, Salome Zourabishvili, to Dublin at the start of her first visit to Ireland.  The Ministers held discussions at a working lunch in Iveagh House, focusing on Ireland's political and economic links with Georgia, recent events there, regional developments, and relations between the EU and Georgia. 

Speaking after the meeting, Minister Ahern said:

“I had the pleasure of meeting Minister Zourabishvili in May at the Council of Europe Summit in Warsaw, where we had an opportunity to discuss our bilateral relations as well as UN reform. I am now delighted to welcome Minister Zourabishvili to Ireland on what is the first visit here by a Georgian Foreign Minister.

This visit is a good sign of the broadening of relations between our two countries. Ireland fully supports Georgia's reform efforts and my predecessor was pleased last year to be able to pledge Irish funding of 1 Million euro to assist this work.

We have had a good discussion on the potential for closer bilateral relations. Even as I meet with the Minister today, a James Joyce exhibition is being opened in Tbilisi. Minister Zourabishvili has briefed me on recent developments in her country and region. We also discussed Georgia's objectives for negotiations with the EU on its Action Plan under the European Neighbourhood Policy.” 

ENDS+++

Press Office

13th October 2005