Martin Visits Georgia, Pledges Support For Peace Mission

Before leaving, the Minister said: "Together with my EU partners, I salute the outstanding efforts of the French EU Presidency in negotiating agreements that saw an end to the fighting in August and the withdrawal of Russian troops from near South Ossetia and Abkhazia and put in place a process for achieving a settlement of the conflict that is continuing in Geneva today."

While in Georgia, the Minister met with the Georgian Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister for discussions about the current situation and the prospects ahead. He also visited a camp for people displaced by the war outside the capital, Tbilisi.

The Minister also received a briefing from the EUMM on the security situation in Georgia. While in Tbilisi, he opened a Centre for European Studies, established in association with the University of Limerick and funded by Irish Aid, met with the Irish community and paid a visit to the First Step Foundation for disabled children, which is also funded by Irish Aid, voluntary donations and by the Georgian Government.

He confirmed during his visit that Ireland will continue to participate in the EU peace monitoring mission to the region over the next 12 months.

Minister Martin made the commitment as he met his Georgian counterpart, Foreign Minister Eka Tkeshelashvili.

Ireland has four observers involved in the mission which was established in the wake of the conflict.

Minister Martin said: "Ireland fully supported the EU plan which helped bring about an end to the fighting. I believe the European Union has played an extremely positive role in efforts to bring about conflict resolution in Georgia."

"I am proud that Ireland is contributing to the EU monitoring mission, which is playing a vital role in observing the ceasefire. I am also pleased to be able to confirm that Ireland intends to continue to make experienced personnel available to the mission in 2009."

The Minister for Foreign Affairs also met the Irish peace monitors during his visit and will visited Irish supported projects which are assisting tens of thousands of people forced their homes during the war in August.