Swedish FM Visits Georgia

Carl Bildt, the foreign minister of Sweden, arrived in Georgia on May 22 for a two day visit.

Before the visit the Swedish Foreign Minister wrote on his blog that reforms in Georgia and relations with European Union would be high on the agenda during his visit. Situation in Georgia’s breakaway regions will also be raised, although the issue will not be the focus of discussions, he wrote.

Georgian Foreign Minister, Grigol Vashadze, said after meeting with his Swedish counterpart that "the progress Georgia made in relations with European Union with the help of our friends and first and foremost of Sweden" was discussed. He also said that requirements that are needed for the launch of talks on deep and comprehensive free trade agreement with EU were discussed.

During the visit the Swedish Foreign Minister also plans to meet with President Saakashvili, PM Nika Gilauri, Secretary of National Security Council Eka Tkeshelashvili and Gela Bezhuashvili, chief of the intelligence service.

In January, 2010 the Swedish government decided to strengthen its diplomatic presence in number of regions, in particular in the Balkans and the Caucasus, through upgrading to embassies the present section offices there. The decision concerns Georgia too.

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