AER coordination meeting and seminar in Georgia

Giorgi BARAMIDZE, State Minister of Georgia on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration

welcomed the circa 60 participants of the AER meeting in Guria region, Georgia. In his speech he stressed the importance of interregional cooperation between Georgia and Europe. He expressed his hopes that this meeting would contribute to strengthening the role of local actors.

Valerian CHITAISHVILI,  Governor of Guria region

hosted this event which aimed at brining together the governors of all regions of Georgia and representatives from Armenia. Guria region is the smallest region in Georgia, bordering the Black Sea coast in the West, Adjara region in the South, Samtshke-Javakheti in the East and Imereti in the North. Regional capital is Ozurgeti.  

Klaus KLIPP, AER Secretary General 

introduced the participants to the working principles of the Assembly of European Regions and emphasised the importance of interregional cooperation and networking. He was also keen on finding out what the participants had to say and listened to their concerns and needs. 

Philippe BERNHARD from the Delegation of the European Commission to Georgia and Anja RUHLAND, Director of the AER Brussels office and AER Funding coordinator 

informed participants about current EU policies and best strategies on how to develop and implement successful EU projects.

Participants of the meeting had the chance to discuss and to network during this meeting. 

1) Aim of the coordination meeting:

• Inform members about cooperation activities within the AER
• Get to know all AER coordinators from Georgian member regions - not yet member regions (also from Armenia)
• To establish working methodology for regions from Georgia/Armenia in relation to the AER

2) Aim of the seminar:

• Introduce AER members to current EU policies and its impact on Georgian/Armenian regions
• Familiarise partners with territorial cooperation projects funded by the EU
• Train participants in project development and management

3) Target group:

• Governors of Georgian and Armenian member regions
• European and international affiars officers from Georgia and Armenia
• Interested AER members
• European Commission officials