On 2-3 July 2009 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia will pay an official visit to the Republic of Latvia.

Meetings will be held with President of the Republic of Latvia Valdis Zalters, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins and Vice Speaker Solvita Aboltina.

On 25 June 2009 the Czech Republic as the current EU Presidency issued a statement in which it strongly condemned the attack on 21 June 2009 against a patrol of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia, near the Abkhazian administrative boundary. The attack left the driver of an accompanying medical vehicle killed and the doctor - injured.

On 22-23 June 2009, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mr. Grigol Vashadze visited the United States of America.

Within the framework of his visit, the Minister participated in the opening session of the Council on the US-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership held at the US State Department, where the sides discussed the development of specific directions of cooperation as envisaged by the provisions of the Charter.

On 22 June  2009, in Washington D.C., at the US Department of State, an opening session of the Council on US-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership was held within the framework of the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mr. Grigol Vashadze to the US.

On 18-19 June, 2009 in Vilnius the round-table meeting was held between the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development - GUAM and the Baltic Parliamentary Assemblies, on the subject of: "Security in changing geopolitical situation and new security concept".

Third meeting on Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism scheduled for 23 June 2009 was to be attended, along with co-chairs - EU and OSCE, by representatives of the Russian occupation troops and the Tskhinvali proxy regime.

On 21 June 2009 an ambulance vehicle accompanying the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) carrying out a routine patrol exploded on a mine near the village of Muzhava, in the vicinity of the Abkhazian administrative border. The blast left Avtandil Akhaladze, a driver of the ambulance dead and Gega Petiashvili, a doctor - severely injured.

VIENNA - On 17 June 2009 the Joint meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation and the Permanent Council was held under the Georgian FSC and Greek OSCE Chairmanships.

A NATO-Georgia Commission meeting at Political Committee level was held at the NATO HQ on June 17, 2009. The Georgian delegation was represented by Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament of Georgia Giorgi Kandelaki, the Deputy State Minister of Georgia for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Helen Khoshtaria and the Head of Division for Relations with International Organizations, Ministry of Corrections and Legal Assistance of Georgia Tamar Mamukelashvili.

On 16 June 2009 Russian media sources disseminated reports saying that Russian President Medvedev issued an instruction to the competent Russian authorities to start concluding military treaties with the Tskhinvali and Sokhumi proxy regimes.

Early morning today on June 16 (late June 15, New York time) Russia vetoed the continuation of the UN Observer Mission to Georgia (UNOMIG) at the session of the UN Security Council dedicated to the "Situation in Georgia". Out of the fifteen Members of the Security Council ten (United States of America, United Kingdom, France, Croatia, Austria, Turkey, Mexico, Burkina Faso, Costa Rica and Japan) were in favor while four (China, Libya, Uganda and Vietnam) abstained. Therefore as of today UNOMIG ceases its activities in Georgia, including the occupied region of Abkhazia.

On June 6, 2009, in an interview given to the Russia's radio station "Ekho Moskvi", the General Major of the Russian Army V. Borisov - precisely the person who spearheaded the Russian occupant troops that entered Georgia in the Tskhinvali Region, the troops that bombed the peaceful population and with no mercy were destroying the Georgian infrastructure, by hands of whom ethnic cleansing was being committed - made a statement about the circumstances in which the military actions began in Georgia in August 2008.

On 5 June 2009 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Grigol Vashadze received a letter of Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Bernard Kouchner.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia expresses its deep regret over the tragic incident involving the crash of Air France airplane during its flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris on 1 June 2009 and conveys its condolences to the crash victims.

On 2 June 2009, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer made a statement on ‘parliamentary elections' held on 31 May 2009 in South Ossetia, Georgia.

Implementation Protocol of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Republic of Latvia on the Readmission of Persons, who do not Fulfill Conditions for Entry or  Residence in the Territory of the Other State was signed on 27th of May, 2009 

The presentation of the trilingual gift edition of the great Georgian national epic "The Knight in the Tiger’s Skin” written by the legendary Georgian poet of the XIIth century - Shota Rustaveli was held in Latvian Society House on 21^st May, 2009. Readers are offered unique opportunity to get acquainted with Latvian and Ukrainian texts of "The Knight in the Tiger’s Skin”.

Seminar "Georgia and European Energy Security” organized by the Embassy of Georgia and the Advanced Social and Political Research Institute, University of Latvia was held in Riga on 18 May, 2009.

The Embassy of Georgia and the Embassy of Ukraine are organizing the presentation of the gift edition of the great Georgian national epic "The Knight in the Tiger’s skin” written by the legendary Georgian poet of the 12th century - Shota Rustaveli.

The "Eastern Partnership" launching Summit was held in Prague on May 7, 2009. The Summit was attended by the Heads of State or Government and high level officials of the European Union Member States and the 6 Eastern European partner countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine), also by the representatives of the European Commission and the EU Council. H.E. Mikheil Saakashvili, the President of Georgia participated in the Summit. The Delegation of Georgia also included Mr. Giorgi Baramidze, the State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Vice-Prime Minister and Mr. Grigol Vashadze, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.

The second meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism scheduled to take place on 7 May 2009 was to be attended, alongside the co-chairs - European Union and OSCE, by representatives of the Russian occupation troops and the Tskhinvali proxy regime.

 In summer of 2008 burial ground of soldiers fallen dead in World War II was discovered during construction works in Riga.   As a result of expertise carried out on the identification capsules one of the 43 militants was identified as Mr. Zakaria Mirzashvili, Georgian soldier considered as a missing person.  His remains were buried at Brother’s Graveyard in Riga.

Georgia strictly condemns the so-called agreements on the joint protection of borders signed on 30 April 2009 by representatives of the Russian Federation and the Sokhumi and Tskhinvali proxy regimes. The scope of the ‘agreements' is to provide protection of the so-called state border of Georgia's occupied territories. The truth, however, is that the ‘agreements' represent Russia's yet another attempt to strengthen military build-up on Georgia's occupied territories and legitimize the occupation process.

On 29 April 2009, at the second part of the 2009 Ordinary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the European Parliamentarians reviewed the action taken by Georgia and Russia on Resolution 1647 (2009) adopted by the PACE in January 2009. The report submitted by the co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee concluded that Georgia has fully complied with most of the Assembly's demands, while Russia, for its part, has failed to comply with most of the demands and might even be seen as moving further away from the minimum conditions for meaningful dialogue.

The detailed comments by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia given to the BBC Russian service, pertaining to the legality of recognition of Georgia's inalienable territories - Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region - by the Russian side, is an attempt by the Russian Federation to justify its action and with this view, it certainly deserves a comment.

Mr. Lavrov is trying to base the arguments on norms and principles of international law in order to justify Russia's unlawful actions. As always, Russian position carries an explicitly demagogic character and is built on false arguments.

Question: How would you assess the statement of the field headquarters of the Russian Federal Forces deployed in Chechnia that an armed group of 60 men trained in the camps on the territory of Georgia allegedly relocated from the Pankisi Valley into Chechnia?

NATO-Georgia Commission (NGC) meeting at the Foreign Ministers level was held at the NATO HQ, Brussels on March 5, 2009.

The meeting was chaired by NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. Georgian delegation was headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Grigol Vashadze.

On 2^nd of March, 2009 at 16:00 p.m. Mr. Alexander Rondeli, Chairman of the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies will deliver public lecture "Background of Russia-Georgia Conflict and its International and Regional Implications” at the Riga Graduate School of Law (Strelnieku str.N4 k-2, Room W42).

Fourth round of the Geneva talks was held on February 17-18, 2009. Deliberations of two working groups, on the security and stability issues in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region, Georgia and on the return of the IDPs and refugees were held, in which participants took part on an informal basis in individual capacity.

On 13 February 2009 in New York the UN Security Council adopted interim resolution 1866, which extends the mandate of the UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) until 15 June 2009. Despite the interim character of the resolution, it contains elements of great significance for Georgia’s national security.

It is a well-known fact that (see the Comment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia of 26 December 2008) Russia’s mobile phone operator Megafon is carrying out illegal business activity on Georgia’s occupied territories providing telecommunication connection throughout this part of Georgia’s sovereign territory without any kind of license.

Today at approximately 12:20 pm 1 Russian Armoured Personnel Vehicle (BMP) and up to 50 military personnel were deployed at the village of Kvemo Nikozi, on the Georgian controlled territory. They blocked the access to the Georgian police post and started to construct fortifications.

On 10 February 2009, early in the morning, on the territory adjacent to the Tskhinvali region, near the village of Adzvi, a criminal armed gang under the proxy regime assaulted two OSCE military monitors. The monitors were kidnapped and taken in an unknown direction. They were released only two hours later.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia welcomes the position of the United States regarding the Russian Federation’s intention to build up its military presence in Abkhazia, Georgia and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia

On 7 February 2009, at 7:00 a.m., a criminal armed gang of ethnic Ossetians made a burglar attack on a Mercedes car moving in the direction of west Georgia. After making three passengers dismount, the bandits kidnapped the car and its driver and disappeared in the direction of Orchosani village.

   According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, on 31 January 2009, at 11 a.m. EUMM monitors together with Lithuanian TV journalists were visiting village Shamgona, Zugdidi Region in order to prepare a story about the explosion of the bridge in the village of Tagiloni, on the other side of Enguri River.

On 28 January 2009, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe at its first part of the 2009 Ordinary Session discussed the implementation by Russia and Georgia of the recommendations and demands made by the Assembly in the Resolution 1633 of October 2008 on the "Consequences of the war between Georgia and Russia”.

Based on the Russian Navy’s main headquarters, Russian media sources disseminated reports that ‘already in 2009 Russia will launch building a military base in the Abkhazian port of Ochamchire where warships of the Black Sea Fleet will be deployed’.

On 26 January 2009 Minister of Defence of Georgia Mr. Vasil Sikharulidze and Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) Ambassador Hansjorg Haber signed a Memorandum of Understanding, providing certain, mutually acceptable regulations on the movements of Georgian armed forces on the territories adjacent to occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Regions of Georgia. The Memorandum aims at providing a comprehensive, transparent and effective mechanism of interaction between the Ministry of Defence of Georgia and EUMM.

On January 19 and 21, 2009 the Russian Federation notified Georgia of the intention to conduct evaluation visit and inspection on the facilities of the Georgian Armed Forces in accordance with Vienna  Document 1999 (OSCE Vienna Document 1999 of the Negotiations on Confidence and Security-Building Measures).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia welcomes the Tbilisi EU Heads of Missions statement, where the Tbilisi based EU Heads of Missions are deeply concerned by the recent attacks on Georgian police officers carrying out their lawful duties.

Based on reports of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, on 19 January 2009, at 5:00 p.m., Russian occupiers and illegal armed gangs under their control opened fire and riddled with bullets a police pick-up truck patrolling a Georgian checkpoint area in the vicinity of Dvani  village, Kareli district. As a result of intensive gunfire attack, two policemen of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia were wounded.

Based on the reports of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, on 18 January 2009, at 05:00 a.m., a Georgian police checkpoint situated in the village of Koki, Khurcha area, Zugdidi district came under fire from the territory controlled by Russia and Sokhumi proxy regime. The fire attack involved both rifles and grenade launchers. 

On 9 January 2009, at the State Department in Washington, a ceremony was held for the signing of Charter on Strategic Partnership between Georgia and the United States. The document was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Grigol Vashadze and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

On 10 January of 2009, Ambassador of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia paid a visit to the Georgian Society "GEORGIKA" in Latvia. 

The MFA of the Republic of Latvia has published official information on its website according to which the Foreign Minister of Latvia H.E. Mr. Maris Riekstins acknowledged the U.S.-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership signed on 9 January, 2009 in Washington.

Another terrorist attack against the peaceful population took place from the Russian-occupied territory.

On 8 January 2009 at 5:00 a.m., intensive fire was opened by automatic grenade launchers from the Russian-controlled village of Otobaia, Gali district towards the village of Orsantia, Zugdidi district. Several bombs fell in the yard of a peaceful resident. Thanks to a happy chance the terrorist act did not cause casualties. The Georgian side has already launched mine-clearing works. EU monitors and representatives of the UN observer mission in Georgia arrived at the site of the incident.

cheeOn 4 January 2009, at 8:00 am Georgian police checkpoint situated in the village of Ganmukhuri, Zugdidi district went under fire from the territory controlled by the Russian occupying forces. Assault rifle and grenade launcher fire was opened from the direction of the village of Phichori. There are no injuries reported.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia expresses its surprise over Russia’s cynical attempts to accuse Georgia of violating the 12 August Ceasefire Agreement against the background of Russia continuing itself to grossly and systematically violate the same Agreement.

On 27 December 2008, at 23:30 pm Georgian police checkpoint situated in the village of Koshki, Gori district went under fire from the territory controlled by the Russian occupying forces. As a result of firing an officer of the Shida Kartli Regional Police of the Ministry of internal Affairs of Georgia was wounded, who was immediately taken to hospital and underwent urgent surgery operation.

On 19 December 2008, the Russian Foreign Ministry posted a press release regarding the situation near the village of Perevi, in which it voices ‘astonishment’ over the negative position expressed by the EU French Presidency regarding this situation and tries to mislead the international community in an absolutely shameless manner.

The Embassy of Latvia to Georgia becomes NATO Contact Point Embassy in Georgia for 2009-2010

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia welcomes the release of a preliminary draft explanatory memorandum made public today by PACE's Monitoring Committee, meeting in Paris.

On December 10^th, 2008, H.E. Mr. Maris Riekstins, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia congratulated his Georgian colleague with the appointment as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and wished him all the success in this new position.

On 13 December  2008, several hundred Russian paratroopers were offloaded to the village of Perevi (Sachkhere district), which was reportedly de-occupied by the Russian troops yesterday. Due to an ultimatum presented by the Russian troops, Georgian police left the village in order to avoid civilian bloodshed. Ambassadors of the EU member states accredited to Georgia were thus unable to enter Perevi, despite having traveled from Tbilisi this morning to see the process of de-occupation.

On December 10, 2008, at 6:00 am, remotely controlled explosive device was set off from the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali Region near the village Nikozi of the Gori District. During the explosion police vehicle owned by the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs was seriously damaged.

NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting was held at the NATO HQ, Brussels on December 2-3, 2008. NATO-Georgia Commission meeting was held in the framework of NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting.

On November 23, 2008, Russian occupiers opened fire at the motorcade of the Presidents of Georgia and Poland from the illegal checkpoint located inside the occupied region of Akhalgori. Fortunately, nobody was injured as a result of the incident.

In November 20, the meetings of David Bakradze with European Issues Committee of Seimas, also members of Latvian Parliament’s Friend Group with Georgia were held. David Bakradze provided the Seim Members with detail information about current situation in Georgia.

Valdis Zatlers, President of Latvia hosted David Bakradze. Latvian President expressed his political and moral support to Georgia at the meeting that was held in the President’s Palace.

"Latvia declares a strong support to Georgia’s territorial integrity and demands to continue working of EU observation mission on the whole territory of Georgia”, - stated Maris Riekstins, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the briefing after the meeting with David Bakradze. He marked once again Latvia’s official position that international agreements signed by Russia are not fulfilled. Latvia considers that status quo, condition existed before August 7, should be restored immediately in Georgia.

Latvian Journalists were interested in David Bakradze’s official visit. David Bakradze, Parliament Speaker participated in the program "In 900 seconds” of Latvian Independent TV Company "LNT”. Also he gave interviews to the most rating newspaper "DIENA” and the radio "Latvia”.

On November 20, 2008 Russian occupation forces stationed in Abkhazia, Georgia perpetrated another provocation against Georgia. Namely, on 6:45 am two armored personal carriers followed by the armed formation of a proxy regime have crossed over the administrative border from the occupied territory and opened a fire towards the police check point located in the nearby Ganmukhuri village. After the fifteen minutes of open fire the check point and the nearby private building of a peaceful civilian were destroyed. 

Geneva talks resumed on November 18-19, 2008. Deliberations of two working groups, on security and stability issues in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region and return of the IDPs and refugees were held, in which participants took place on an informal basis in individual capacity.

David Bakradze holds the first official visit in Latvia with the status of the Chairman of Parliament of Georgia. On November 19, in Riga David Bakradze was entertained by his colleague, the Chairman of Latvian Saeima, Gundars Daudze. Intensification of friendly relations and Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation between two countries was the main topic of conversation between David Bakradze and Gundars Daudze. ON the meeting it was noted that Latvia is one of those countries which expressed their support to Georgia during August events.

In a communiqué issued after their General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) on November 10, 2008, the Foreign Ministers of the European Union confirmed their commitment to the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Georgia and underlined the importance of Russia’s compliance with the August 12 cease-fire agreement. This agreement unambiguously requires the Russian Federation to withdraw its troops from the occupied territories of Georgia.

Three months ago, under the leadership of President Sarkozy, the European Union negotiated the ceasefire agreement that led to a halt in major hostilities following Russia's invasion of Georgia and occupation of its territories

Regarding the situation in the village Perevi of Satchkhere RegionRussian Federation continues to be in serious violation of obligations it has undertaken by the six-point cease-fire agreement, brokered by the European Union.

Recently Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation has been falsely accusing Georgian side for abandoning Geneva discussions on October 15 and not planning to take part in the next round of negotiations on November 18, 2008. Such claims are absolutely groundless and represent yet another example of Soviet type propaganda aimed at misleading international community.

On 31 October-1 November, 2008 Conference: "Europe Whole and Free: 90 Years in the Making” organised by the Latvian Transatlantic Organization, Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia was held in Riga.

On 25-28^th October, 2008 parliamentary delegation of Georgia (mainly composed by the representatives of European Integration Committee) paid visit to Latvia. The delegation met with the Chairman of the Saeima, H.E. Mr. Gundars Daudze, representatives of European and Foreign Affairs Committees and the Saeima Group for Cooperation with the Parliament of Georgia.

On 28 October 2008 S. Bagapsh, leader of the puppet regime on the territory controlled by the Russian occupation troops in Abkhazia, Georgia, president of the so-called republic of Abkhazia confirmed in an interview with Interfax Agency that additional units of the law enforcement agencies of the puppet regime have been deployed across the administrative border of Abkhazia.

On 22 October, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia visited Latvian cities Jaunpils, Skrunde and Kuldiga. The mentioned cities are the sister cities of Georgian Dusheti (Jaunpils) and Mtsketa (Skrunde, Kuldiga).  

On 12 August 2008 a missile attack carried out in Gori as part of Russia’s military aggression against Georgia killed 5 peaceful civilians, including a Dutch journalist, RTL cameraman Stan Storiment. 

On 13-15 October, 2008, the delegation of Georgian Border Police headed by the Chief of the Border Police of Georgia, Mr. Badri Bitsadze paid working visit to the Republic of Latvia.

On 13 October, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia visited city of Sigulda, where he hold a meeting with the Chairman of the Sigulda City Council Mr. Talis Pukitis.

Breaches by Russia of the Ceasefire Agreement:

On 8 October, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia met with the member of the Riga City Council Mr. Dainis Ivans.

On 9 October, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia hold a meeting with the Head of the Development Cooperation Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia.

During 13-26, 2008 on the basis of the humanitarian assistance of the Latvian Government to Georgia a group of Georgian children (30 children and their 3 leaders ) who were displaced from their homes during the Russian military aggression in Georgia undergoed a rehabilitation course at Jaundubultu Health Center in Jurmala.

On September 20, 2008 the Sunday school was opened at the office of the Georgian society in the Republic of Latvia "Samshoblo”. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia, Consul Keti Esiashvili and Council Teimuraz Janjalia participated in the opening ceremony.

On 29-30 September of 2008, the Delegation of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia headed by the Chairman of the Saeima Mr. Gundars Daudze was on its working visit to Georgia.

• History of Georgian Wine
• Viticulture in Georgia Today
• Growing Conditions
• Grape varieties in Georgia
• Georgian wine varieties
• Wine-producing Regions of Georgia with Map
• Climate of Georgia
• Major Wine Producer Companies

63rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly

New York, 23 September 2008

On 24 September 2008 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Eka Tkeshelashvili participated in  an informal meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe held in New York. The informal Ministerial meeting was convened by Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden Karl Bildt. The meeting was also attended by  Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis.

The Government of Georgia invites the international community and journalists to verify the information laid out in the timeline below.

On 15-16 September 2008, North-Atlantic Council and NATO Secretary General paid an official visit to Georgia. In the framework of the visit, the North Atlantic Council held a meeting with the President of Georgia and members of the Government.

1.Today Georgia hosted the first meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission at Ambassadorial level with the participation of the Georgian Prime Minister and the Georgian State Commission on Euro-Atlantic Integration.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia commends the unanimous stance of the leaders of the EU member states in supporting Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and condemning in strict terms the acts of aggression committed by Russia in Georgia.

The Saeima of the Republic of Latvia announces that:

With deep concern and anxiety, we are observing the events in Georgia which at this moment is under intensive attacks by the army of the Russian Federation.

We are calling on the international community to decisively condemn actions of Russia and to promptly take all necessary steps to stop the war and bring the parties to the negotiation table.

This morning, at the initiative of Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, there was a telephone conversation between the Minister and the Georgian Foreign Minister Ekaterine Tkeshelashvilli in order to review the recent military clashes and the current situation in the region of Georgia, South Ossetia.

On 9 July 2008 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation issued a statement concerning the aggravation of the situation in Georgia’s conflict regions.

The last two days have seen a continuation of the recent series of explosions in Georgia’s region of Abkhazia. Unfortunately the blast in the Gali district killed several citizens of Georgia. The Government of Georgia conveys its condolences to the families of the blast victims.

On the 3^d of July Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia met with the Chairman of the Senate of the Baltic International Academy, professor  Mr. Stanislav Buka.

On the 3 of July Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia  to the Republic of Latvia  Konstantin Korkelia met with the Chairman of the Georgian Society  " Georgika” in the Republic of Latvia Mr. Erik Grigolia.

On 31 May 2008 the Press and Information Service of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation disseminated the information which states that units and special equipment of Railway and Engineering Forces of the Russian Federation entered the territory of Georgia, in particular Abkhazia, without agreement with the government of Georgia

A special meeting of the UN Security Council held at the Georgian side’s request in New York, on 30 May 2008 discussed the Report of UNOMIG on the incident of 20 April involving the downing of a Georgian unarmed aerial vehicle in Abkhazia, Georgia. Georgia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Irakli Alasania attended and addressed the session

The Presidents of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland having met with the President of Georgia at the Energy Summit in Kiev are welcoming the successful conduct of parliamentary elections in Georgia and reiterating their full support to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within internationally recognized borders

The Presidents of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland congratulate Georgia on passing its democracy exam by holding free and competitive Parliamentary elections

On 9^th   of May Georgian State Minister for Reintegration Issues paid a working visit to Latvia.

Under the auspices of Georgian society in Latvia "Samshoblo’’ charitable concert of Georgian pianist Alexander Iakobidze-Gitman was held on 8^th  May in Riga.

On 4^th of May 2008 the Republic of Latvia celebrated 18^th anniversary of restoration of its independence

The group of international experts completed its work concerning the fact of shot down of unarmed Georgian reconnaissance drone by the Russian fighter jet that took place on 20 April, 2008.

TBILISI – 24 APRIL 2008 – Senators Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Barak Obama joined EU, Council of Europe, OSCE, NATO, US, and scores of other Western leaders in condemning the recent aggressive moves by Russia that aim to undermine the sovereignty of Georgia.    

On 23 April 2008, a special session of the UN Security Council was convened in New York upon Georgia’s request in order to consider the recent developments in Abkhazia, Georgia.

On 20 April 2008 at 09:53.31 local time a MIG-29 "Fulcrum” Russian fighter jet shot down an unarmed Georgian reconnaissance drone (UAV) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs over Georgian territory.

I sincerely hoped that after my appearance before you last week laying out Georgian Presidents peace initiative to Abkhaz de facto authorities and offering to the Russian Federation to play a constructive role in peace building in the region, I would have far better, optimistic ground to address distinguished members of media this morning. Unfortunately, I have rather alarming message to deliver in respect to the Georgia-Russian relations.

In a telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and David Bakradze, the Foreign Minister of Georgia, on 18 April, the Ministers discussed a decision recently adopted by Russia to provide support for Georgia's separatist regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia.    

As you are aware, today UNSC has adopted the Resolution on the Situation in Georgia.

On 8 April, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia held separate meetings in the Parliament (Saeima) of the Republic of Latvia with Mr. Dzintars Zakis, Chairperson of the Saeima Group for Cooperation with the Parliament of Georgia, Ms. Vaira Paegle, Chairperson of the European affairs Committee, and Mr. Andris Berzins, Chairperson of Foreign Affairs Committee.   

On 27 March, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia met with Prime-Minister of the Republic of Latvia Mr. Ivars Godmanis.

On 19 March, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia met with the Minister of Economic of the Republic of Latvia, Mr. Kaspars Gerhards.

On 17 March, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia met with the Minister of Health of the Republic of Latvia, Mr. Ivars Eglitis.

On 14 March, 2008 during the official visit of the Minister of the Environment of the Republic of Latvia Mr. Raimonds Vejonis to Georgia was signed Agreement between the Ministry of the Environment Protection and Natural Recourses of Georgia and the Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Latvia on Cooperation in the Field of Environmental Protection.

On 13 March, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia met with the Rector of the University of Latvia, Mr. Marcis Auzinsh.

On 12 March, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia met with Minister of Defence of the Republic of Latvia Mr. Vinets Veldre and State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia Mr. Edgars Rinkevics.

On 7 March, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia met with Mr. Oskars Kastens, Special Assignments Minister for Society Integration Affairs of the Republic of Latvia.

On 7 March, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia met with Ms. Ina Gudele, Special Assignments Minister for Electronic Government Affairs of the Republic of Latvia.

On 6 March, 2008 the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia met the Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia Mr. Edgars Skuja.

On 5 March, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia met with Ms. Tatyana Koke, Minister for Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia.

On 5 March, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia met with Mr. Martinsh Rose, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Latvia.

On 5 March, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia met with Mr. Atis Slakteris, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Latvia.

On 4 March, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia met with Mr. Gaidis Berzinsh Minister for Justice of the Republic of Latvia.

On 29 February, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia met with H.E. Mr. Gundars Daudze, Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia.

On 28 February, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia met with Mr. Raimonds Vejonis the Minister of Environment of the Republic of Latvia.

On 27 February, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia met with Dean of Diplomatic Corps Mr. Arnold Christian de Fine Skibsted, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Denmark in the Republic of Latvia.

On 25 February, 2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia Mr. Konstantin Korkelia presented the copies of Letters of Credence to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia H.E. Mr. Maris Riekstinsh.

On 4 February 2008, under the Georgian side’s initiative, a telephone conversation was held between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia David Bakradze and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia Maris Riekstins.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulates Georgia on the extraordinary presidential elections of 5 January 2008, which had been transparent and on the whole had proceeded in accordance with international standards. Following the conclusions by the OSCE election observation mission, freedom of choice for the electors had been ensured during the election process. Transparency of the election process was ensured by the presence of a large number of international observers. In this respect, Latvia commends Georgia's wish not to follow the precedent established by some of the OSCE member states which restricted the participation of international representatives in the observation of elections.

We have visited Georgia to express our full support to its democratically elected President and the legitimate Government of Georgia.