European Union`s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Catherine Ashton has said in her recent interview with Radio Liberty that Prime Minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili `needs to think about some of the foreign policy challenges of the country`. Catherine Ashton has also reviewed recent arrests in Georgia since the change of government.
`We saw Georgia make a big political decision, a democratic transition, if you like, and I will say to Prime Minister Ivanishvili that we welcome the fact that as prime minister he wants to devote his energy to the economic challenges of his country, that he needs to think about some of the foreign policy challenges of the country, and he needs to make sure that in everything he does -- particularly in the world of justice -- that it is done in an open and transparent way. And I will say to President Saakashvili that he has his legacy already in Georgia in a sense, that it is important that he continue to work closely with the new government, important that he continue to push forward for Georgia on the things he believes in, especially, of course, the relationship with the European Union, which is, I think, of great significance for Georgia and of great importance to us,` Ashton said.
Catherine Ashton, will travel to Georgia on November 24, before she embarks on her first major tour of Central Asia (from November 26-30). Within the visit, Ashton will meet with Prime Minister Ivanishvili and President Saakashvili.
