On 15 July High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the European Commission Catherine Ashton will pay a visit to Georgia. Position of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy was introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon, which, along with the European External Action Service, aims at ensuring the effectiveness and consistency of the EU Foreign Policy.
It is Mrs. Ashton's first visit to Georgia, which, given her new position and competence, once again reaffirms the European Union's support for Georgia.
In the frames of this visit Catherine Ashton will hold meetings with President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili and Minister of Foreign Affairs Grigol Vashadze.
EU High Representative and President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili will officially open negotiations on the Association Agreement between Georgia and the European Union.
The forthcoming Association Agreement between Georgia and the European Union will replace the Partnership and Cooperation agreement between Georgia and the European Union and provides for the strengthening of relations between Georgia and the European Union in priority fields. This Agreement will give Georgia the possibility of political association and phased economic integration with the European Union.
On 15 July first plenary session of negotiations over the Georgia-EU Association Agreement will be held in Batumi. From the European side the negotiations will be headed by Deputy Director General in the European Commission Directorate General for External Relations Hugues Mingareli and from the Georgian side - by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tornike Gordadze. The meeting from the Georgian side will also be attended by representatives of the state authorities.