OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Economic Conference
“Fostering Economic Co-operation and Stability in the OSCE region”
Batumi, Georgia
12-14 May, 2012
Draft Programme and Schedule
1 FRIDAY, MAY 11
Arrival of the Participants1 and Transfers between the Batumi International Airport (all flights) and hotels organized by the Parliament of Georgia Accommodation: Hotels “Sheraton Batumi” and “Radisson Blu Batumi” Registration: Hotel Sheraton Batumi from 16:00 to 19:30 Conference Venue: Hotel “Sheraton Batumi”, Grand Ballroom 19:30 DeparturefromthehotelstotheGonioCastle 20:00-21:30 Welcome Reception hosted by the Chairman of the Government of Ajara Autonomous Republic, Mr. Levan VARSHALOMIDZE (Venue: Gonio Castle)
SATURDAY, MAY 12
10:00-11:00 INAUGURAL SESSION FOSTERING ECONOMIC CO- OPERATION, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND STABILITY IN THE OSCE REGION
Welcoming remarks by H.E. Mr. Petros EFTHYMIOU, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
Welcoming remarks by H.E. Mr. Mikheil SAAKASHVILI, President of Georgia
Welcoming remarks by H.E. Mr. David BAKRADZE, Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia
11:00-13:00 SESSIONI THE ROLE OF GOOD GOVERNANCE IN STIMULATING SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHENING REGIONAL COOPERATION: Creation of Transparent, Friendly Business and Investment Environment , Fight Against Corruption, Transport Infrastructure and Transport Dialogue, Tourism Development
Chair / Moderator: Ms. Walburga HABSBURG DOUGLAS, (Sweden), Vice-President of the OSCE PA
Speakers: Ambassador Eustathios LOZOS, Chairman of the OSCE Economic and Environmental Committee, Permanent Representative of Greece to the OSCE
Mr. Nika GILAURI, Prime Minister of Georgia
Ambassador Philip DIMITROV, Head of the EU Delegation to Georgia
Mr. Andrei ILLARIONOV, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute
Discussion 13:00-14:30 Lunch hosted by the Parliament of Georgia (Venue: Sheraton Batumi Hotel, Restaurant “Sunflower”)
14:30 Family Photo
1 Special Flight Vienna-Batumi arriving at Batumi International Airport (BUS) May 11th at 16:50 local.
2 15:00-17:45 SESSION II PEACE AND CONFIDENCE-BUILDING THROUGH ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION: The Role of the OSCE in Addressing Security Challenges Through Economic Activities//Sustainable Development, Peace and Confidence-Building in the OSCE Area//Transforming Risks into Cooperation//Labor Migration
Chair / Moderator: Mr. Riccardo MIGLIORI (Italy), Vice-President of the OSCE PA
Speakers: Mr. Goran SVILANOVIC, OSCE Coordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities
Ms. Eka TKESHELASHVILI, Vice Prime Minister of Georgia, State Minister of Georgia for Reintegration
Ms. Kathleen FERRIER, OSCE PA Special Representative on Migration
Ms. Gloria DE PASCUAL, Head of the Migrant Department, International Labor Organization
Mr. Philippe LEFORT, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus
Discussion
18:15 Depart for Batumi Opera House 18:45-19:45 Glass of champagne followed by a concert 19:45 Depart for the restaurant 20:00 Official dinner in honor of the Participants of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Economic Conference hosted by the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, H.E. Mr. David BAKRADZE
SUNDAY, MAY 13
10:00–13:00 SESSIONIII ENERGY SECURITY AND EFFICIENCY: REGIONAL CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS: Green Energy, Diversification of the Energy Transportation Routes
Chair / Moderator: Mr. Joao SOARES, (Portugal), OSCE PA President Emeritus
Speakers: Mr. Alexander KHETAGURI, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Georgia
Representatives of the oil industry (SOCAR)
Representative of Norway/Turkey
Mr. Edward LUCAS, Expert, The Economist – International Section Editor
Discussion
13:00-14:30 Lunch hosted by the Parliament of Georgia (Sheraton Batumi Hotel, Restaurant “Sunflower”)
3 CULTURAL PROGRAM followed by a reception
18:00-18:30 Drive to Sheraton Batumi Hotel
18:30-22:00 Open Air Reception at the premises of Sheraton Batumi Hotel in honor of the Participants of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Economic Conference Hosted by Deputy Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Mr. George TSERETELI
MONDAY, MAY 14
10:00–12:00 SESSIONIV DEVELOPING SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED ENTERPRISES
Chair / Moderator: Mr. Serhiy SHEVCHUK (Ukraine), Chair of the Second Committee of the OSCE PA
Speakers: Ms. Vera KOBALIA, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia
Mr. David LEE, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Georgia
Presentation by International Speaker (Azerbaijan) (TBD)
Mr. Stephen HAYKIN, Mission Director USAID Georgia
Discussion
12:00 – 12:15 CLOSING SESSION
Concluding Remarks by Mr. George TSERETELI, Deputy Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia
Concluding Remarks by Mr. George BARAMIDZE, Vice Prime Minister of Georgia, State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration
Concluding Remarks by Mr. Petros EFTHYMIOU, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
12:30-13:30 Lunch hosted by the Parliament of Georgia (Venue: Sheraton Batumi Hotel, Restaurant “Sunflower”)
Departure of the Participants: Transfers between the Hotels and Batumi International Airport (all flights) organized by the Parliament of Georgia2
2 Special Flight Batumi-Vienna departing from BIA May 14th at 15:45 local.
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