INTERVIEW: Georgia on my mind…with: Juliette Le Dore, European Commission Young Expert in Georgia 23 March 2009 - Issue : 826 (neurope.eu)

Juliette Le Dore is the former Press Officer for Human Rights Watch that took a step in a new direction and went to Tbilisi in Georgia as an expert working for the European Commission and reporting back on what is happening there and also aiding the local community as effectively as possible in whatever way the Commission is involved. Through a series of emails and notes with Alia Papageorgiou she tells New Europe about her experience and how this move has impacted on her. So what are you doing in Georgia and how did you get there? I am working for the European Commission delegation in Tbilisi as a Young Expert. It’s a two year contract.

Are you still working on Human Rights Watch issues whilst you’re there or is this a 100 percent European Commission related project?

It’s a 100 percent EC job What do you have to do as an expert every day? Describe for us a normal day? I was assigned to the Economic section, so I am following everything that touches economic reforms in Georgia, the aftermath of the financial crisis, the Public Finance reforms, poverty reduction and income generation etc. I am also following some Human Rights Projects. Every day is different, sometimes packed with meetings with NGO’s, officials, International organizations, coordination meetings etc, sometimes I am in the field visiting projects and meeting with the population, sometimes there are calmer days and I take advantage of them to write reports and do some reading...

How do you see the situation in Georgia now?

Due to the conflict last August, the loss of the two provinces Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and the outbreak of the economic crisis, the situation is quite tense both politically and economically in Georgia.

What would it mean if the observers were removed from Georgia and are the rumours that they will be leaving Georgia became true - does this mean that Russia will be more easily led to continue acts against Georgia do you think?

Those observers are part of the EU monitoring mission in Georgia, a provision of the agreement signed in Moscow by Presidents Sarkozy and Medvedev to put an end to the conflict. Their role is to monitor that there are no incidents near the borders of the two secessionist provinces. Their mission will not be ended in the coming months, they should continue to do their work in Georgia, especially since the renewal of the OSCE mission in Georgia’s mandate is not secured.

How do the people respond to you?

Georgian people are very pro-European, so we are welcomed in a very warm way. But there are reforms that are not easy to implement politically and that need urgently to go ahead. Fortunately, the Georgian government understands that those reforms are crucial to make Georgia stronger, more democratic, more powerful and more independent.

Are there many NGO’s and much interest in the EU in Tbilisi?

The NGO landscape is very vibrant in Georgia, with quite a number of them being very active in very different fields. They know the EU and we closely work with them in a very productive manner, financing their projects, giving them training, coordinating with them etc. The collaboration is usually excellent.

What has been the best moment so far?

There have been many. Watching some Georgian traditional dancers in Tbilisi (those dances are simply beautiful), discovering the amazing beauty of the Caucasus mountains, visiting small orthodox churches in Tbilisi... It’s a very nice country to live and work in.

Are you constantly writing reports?

No, I am also travelling to the regions to visit the projects we are financing and meet with the population. I am also meeting with officials, NGO’s, International organisations counterparts, attending conferences and workshops, and of course...writing reports, but mainly on very concrete projects or on the economic situation, both being very interesting to write.

What is the hardest thing about living in Tbilisi? Do you feel any danger or threat on a regular basis?

Tbilisi is the contrary of a difficult city to live in. People are extremely welcoming, art is everywhere, be it paintings in shops, jazz music in cafes, dance in restaurants, and literature discussions with taximen! All the expats here tell you how much they enjoy living here, and after one month, I must say I agree!

EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S INVOLVEMENT IN TBILISI

The EC Delegation to Georgia opened in Tbilisi in 1995 and in Armenia in 1999. The Delegation has a full diplomatic status and its role is to facilitate the development of relations between the Governments of Georgia and Armenia on the one hand and the EU institutions on the other. The Delegation represents the European Commission and ensures bilateral relations in the political, economic, commercial and co-operation fields. We are also here to promote and protect EU’s interests and values and pursue the EU’s policies in all areas.

The Delegation’s main tasks can be described under three headings: Political relations, Economic and Trade relations and Co-operation and External assistance. In carrying out our tasks we aim to maintain and develop good and effective contacts with our government partners in Georgia and the Republic of Armenia, as well as with EU Member States, international organisations and, where necessary, third countries. We observe and report regularly to Headquarters on political, social and economic developments in Georgia and Armenia. We seek to ensure coherence between the Commission’s trade policies, its economic and development cooperation activities and other external policy activities in our host countries.

As regards the co-operation and external assistance, this is shaped in a combination of countryspecific, regional and global strategic objectives. We have the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements, providing for close political relations as well as economic, social, financial and cultural cooperation. There is also the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The objective of the ENP is to share the EU’s stability, security and prosperity with neighbouring countries, offering them closer political, security, economic and culture cooperation. It will also open up a possibility to the countries to participate in EU programmes and to have a stake in the EU’s internal market, which will strongly support their own political and economic reforms.

The objectives of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and ENP Action plans for Georgia and Armenia are reflected in our cooperation and external assistance programmes. The ENP marks the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between the EU and the partner countries Georgia and Armenia. During the period 1992 – 2006, the EU, through the European Commission, provided assistance to Georgia to a value of 502 million Euro. For Armenia, the assistance amounted to 386 million Euro. If you cannot find the information you are looking for, or do not understand some of the information given, do not hesitate to contact us, either in the Delegation in Tbilisi or in Yerevan. We have modest library facility, but more importantly staff members that are willing and able to assist you in your queries.

source: www.neurope.eu