August 22, 2006
Senator Richard Lugar and Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli Post Meeting Press Conference
Senator Lugar [introductory remarks]: Mr. Prime Minister, we are grateful for the hospitality you’ve extended to our delegation. We come at a time of rejoicing for the people of Georgia at extraordinary economic growth, double digit this year, and at all of the projects that that are occurring that are going to bring better health, education and security for the Georgian people.
We are excited about the progress Georgia is making in preparation for potential membership in NATO.
We are excited about the wonderful plans that Georgians have formulated to use Millennium Challenge Account money and leverage this [to create] even greater investment in the Georgian people. We are pleased with the words of the Prime Minister about further development of the Nunn-Lugar Program as the program on Cooperative Threat Reduction moves into biological protections that will be important for Georgians and for Americans.
Equally important to each of these topics was simply our general discussion of the extraordinary ties between Georgians and Americans; ways in which we can work together productively, not in a sense of crisis, but just as normal countries who have an abiding friendship and who want to visit each other in greater numbers.
We really rejoice in these opportunities to visit Georgia. It’s my first opportunity since the tragedy of Prime Minister Zhvania’s funeral at which I was asked to represent our government; or two years ago when we did have a happier time in the summer time. So much has changed since then. As I compare the vitality of the streets and the people this time I’m excited. Now, with the permission of the Prime Minister, we may entertain questions.
Q: TV Company Mir: Mr. Prime Minister, have you discussed relations between Georgia and Russia during your meeting today? And one question to Senator Lugar: what do you think about the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia and what do you think about Russian peacekeepers in the zones of conflict?
A: Senator Lugar: Obviously the United Stated agrees with the people of Georgia. There should not be Russian peacekeepers in either of the areas. In South Ossetia we have tried to work with the OSCE and with other diplomats, to bring about finally a conclusion to that unhappy chapter and to bring about the territorial integrity of Georgia. In Abkhazia we support the return of refugees of Georgia to there homes, to a normal state there in that country. We’ve worked, we believe constructively, with Georgians on potential diplomatic solutions even though these have not been particularly successful so far. But we are patient, as have been Georgians, and we look forward to better results.
A: Prime Minister Noghaideli: We did not particularly discuss Russia as such during our meeting, but as we proceeded with our discussions regarding economic issues and conflict resolution, Russia has been in focus.
Q: TV Company Mze, Maka Gigauri: A follow up question to Senator Lugar: What kind of recommendations would the Senator have regarding the replacement of the peacekeeping mandate (both in Abkhazia and South Ossetia)?
A: Senator Lugar: I think the peacekeeping situation is one that really has to be assumed by the people of Georgia. We would not be in favor of having Russians there. In the interim situation, diplomacy may lead to other more neutral and friendly parties providing peacekeeping in those [Abkhazia and South Ossetia] situations. But my hope would be that in South Ossetia we would not need to come to that point. Obviously in Abkhazia it’s a more complex situation and that may be required.
Q: Radio Fortuna, Nana Mamagulashvili: A question to Mr. Senator: You mentioned here that you’ve discussed a number of issues related to energy independence and a number of programs. What specifically do those programs imply?
A: Senator Lugar: We discussed specifically the visit I just had in Azerbaijan and the gas that will be available to Georgia through the BTC pipeline initially and how that supply may grow in subsequent years but still will not be sufficient for Georgia without Russian gas. And we’ve discussed very frankly the problems that are posed by the dependence on Russian gas and other potential substitutes [for Russian gas] to replace at least a percentage of that dependency. It is obviously a very difficult situation and we discussed a number of facets of energy dependency, including [facets of dependency] we have in the United States which are not so acute as those that now face Georgia but that are becoming more [acute for the United States] and therefore this is something that has engaged my attention as a priority.
Prime Minister Noghaideli: Thank you all and thank you Senator Lugar for visiting us.
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