EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, has arrived in Georgia.
Today she will meet with Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Foreign Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Parliamentary Speaker David Usupashvili, leaders of the parliamentary factions, as well as representatives of civic society.
In addition, she will speak at the International conference 'Achieving Gender Equality', Georgia Online reports.
The head of the Center for Security Studies and International Relations of Georgia, Nika Chitadze, in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza outlined the approximate range of issues which can be discussed during the visit.
"Given the fact that Europe is interested in the development of democratic institutions in Georgia, I think, of course, they will discuss key issues relating to, for example, the freedom of speech, namely the Rustavi 2 case. And, of course, the relations between Russia and Georgia. It is interesting that this coincided with Georgia's negotiations with Gazprom and problems around the Rustavi 2," he said.
The Georgian political scientist Vakhtang Maisaya also suggested that the visit of Federica Mogherini is connected with recent events in Georgia, and wasn't planned. "Firstly, two political forces have declared a hunger strike and actually want the resignation of the minister of defense and the minister of natural resources. Secondly, the skirmish around the Rustavi-2 TV station," the expert believes.
"In fact, all this is in the focus of the EU, because Georgia has signed an Association Agreement and pretends to be a member of the EU. So, in this context, the country has undertaken certain obligations," he added.
"That is, the EU is interested in developing Georgia as a democratic state. In this regard, Mogherini as the representative of the EU leadership, should assess whether it corresponds to the reality," Vakhtang Maisaya concluded.
For his part, the political scientist Giorgi Nodia believes that the visit was planned. "It just so happened that it's taking place now, when the government is trying to take over the opposition channel and Georgia has come under fairly harsh criticism from the democratic states. This makes the visit more valuable. In addition, of course, in a month a decision is expected to be adopted on whether to grant Georgia a visa-free regime with the EU," he concluded.
