OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Economic Conference

“Fostering Economic Co-operation and Stability in the OSCE region”

Batumi,

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. , 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. , 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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