Αποφάσεις - Ανακοινώσεις — ΦΕΚ A' 295/2000

τις διατάξεις της Συμφωνίας οικονομικής και τεχνο?λογικής συνεργασίας μεταξύ της Ελλάδος και της Γεωρ?γίας που υπογράφηκε στην Τιφλίδα στις 12.1.1995 και κυ?ρώθηκε με τον υπ’ αριθ. 2411/1996 Νόμο που δημοσιεύ?θηκε στο υπ’ αριθ. 122 Φύλλο της Εφημερίδος της Κυβερνήσεως τεύχος Α’ της 17.6.1996,

του περιεχομένου του υπό έγκριση Πρωτοκόλλου, αποφασίζουμε: Εγκρίνουμε ως έχει και στο σύνολο του το Πρωτόκολλο της Πρώτης Συνόδου της Μικτής Διακυβερνητικής Επι?τροπής οικονομικής και τεχνολογικής συνεργασίας Ελλά?δος - Γεωργίας που υπογράφηκε στην Αθήνα στις 18 Ια?νουαρίου 2000 του οποίου το κείμενο σε πρωτότυπο στην αγγλική γλώσσα και σε μετάφραση στην ελληνική έχει ως εξής: Αθήνα, 14 Δεκεμβρίου 2000 ΟΙ ΥΠΟΥΡΓΟΙ ΕΘΝΙΚΗΣ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΕΞΩΤΕΡΙΚΩΝ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΚΩΝ Γ. ΠΑΠΑΝΔΡΕΟΥ Γ. ΠΑΠΑΝΤΩΝΙΟΥ ΑΝΑΠΤΥΞΗΣ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΑΣ Ν. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΔΟΥΛΑΚΗΣ Γ. ΑΝΩΜΕΡΙΤΗΣ ΜΕΤΑΦΟΡΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΜΠΟΡΙΚΗΣ ΝΑΥΤΙΛΙΑΣ ΕΠΙΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΩΝ Χ. ΠΑΠΟΥΤΣΗΣ Χ. ΒΕΡΕΛΗΣ PROTOCOL of the 1st Session of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission for Economic & Technological Cooperation between Greece and Georgia The 1st Session of the Joint Intergovernmental Commis?sion for Economic and Technological Cooperation be?tween Greece and Georgia was held in Athens on January 17-18, 2000, in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement on Economic Cooperation, signed between the two countries in 1995. The Deputy Minister of National Economy Mrs. Rodoula Zissi. headed the Greek Delegation. The Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, Mrs. Tamar Beruchashvili headed the Georgian Dele?gation. The Georgian Minister had a meeting with the Min?ister of National Economy of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Gi?annos Papantoniou. During the meeting of the Joint Economic Commission, which was conducted in an atmosphere of mutual under?standing and traditional friendship, the two sides, review?ing their economic relations, stated their readiness to take all necessary measures to improve the bilateral relations on the basis of mutual interest. Considering the striving of Georgia towards the inte?gration into the European Structures and the importance of PCA Agreement, as the solid basis for development of bi?lateral relations, both sides stressed the fact that the pro?motion of Georgian -Greek economic relations will con?siderably facilitate the achievement of the PCA objectives. The Lists of Participants of both delegations and the Agenda of the Session are attached to this Protocol as An?nexes II and I respectively. As regards the issues of the Agenda, the two sides pro?ceeded to the following considerations:

ECONOMIC SITUATION IN THE TWO COUNTRIES The Greek side presented the recent developments in the Greek economy as well as the successful implemen?tation of the convergence programme of the country’s economy to those of the other Member states of the E.U., thus securing that Greece of 2000 will be the twelfth mem?ber of the Economic and Monetary Union. 4187

BILATERAL ECONOMIC COOPERATION BETWEEN GREECE AND GEORGIA OPPORTUNITIES AND PERSPECTIVES 2.1 Trade - Investments The two sides re-iterated their interest to increase the vol?ume of their commercial transactions and agreed to en?hance the development of cooperation between their Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Business Organi?zations as well as to encourage the organization of prod?uct-exhibitions, the participation in international fairs in both countries and the undertaking of joint initiatives in third countries. As regards the sector of investments, the two sides as?certained that the Greek investment presence in Georgia, though limited, is however significant. Both sides agreed to support this cooperation through the organisation of joint business contacts and workshops, in order to acquaint their businessmen with the economic developments pre?vailing in the two countries and the opportunities for estab?lishing joint - ventures. The Greek side expressed its interest to have immediate information on the privatization procedure of the state?owned enterprises. The Georgian side welcomes the initiatives of the Greek Foreign Trade Board for the promotion of our bilateral eco?nomic relations. Both sides agreed to continue their efforts in this regard (personnel training seminars, support for the SMEs, collaboration with the Foreign Trade Organization, e.t.c.). The Georgian side expressed its interest for Greek as?sistance in the promotion of investment opportunities in Georgia through the «Georgian Investment Centre» (Geor?gian National Investment Promotion Agency). The Georgian side agreed to provide all privatization-re?lated information to the relevant Greek authorities. The two sides noted with satisfaction that Georgia joined WTO and will follow its principles in trade and investment related cooperation. The Greek expressed its readiness to share experience in terms of cooperation with WTO and provide technical assistance at the initial stages of Geor?gia’s membership of the World Trade Organisation. The Georgian side recognized the concerns relating to the business climate in the country. A number of imperative measures have been taken to overcome barriers caused by corruption, bureaucracy of some state executive in?stitutions, including the deficiencies customs and tax col?lection services. 2.2 Agriculture The two sides agreed for the convocation, within the first semester of 2000, of the Joint Committee in the sector of agriculture, in accordance with the Agreement on Eco?nomic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation in the sector of agriculture, signed in April 1997. Both sides proposed the following possible directions of cooperation: • exchange of scientific-research and technical infor?mation and documentation, • exchange of information related to irrigation and water?supply systems, • organisation of training programmes, seminars, con?ferences and meetings, • participation in the development of tripartite activities with third parties (E.U. or/and other financial institutions) in the drawing up, submission for approval and financing of research programmes covering the production of agri?cultural products and their processing. • facilitation in establishing joint ventures in the field of food industry. 2.3 Industry and SMEs Both sides expressed their interest in developing coop?eration in industrial sectors of specific interest such as food industry, mine industry, textile, clothing, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, electronics, electrical appliances manufac?turing, agricultural products processing, construction materials, waste management, railway materials and infor?mation technology business. To this end they will facilitate the establishment of joint ventures or other forms of investment activities in the above industrial sectors as well as through close cooperation in the field of training and technology transfer. The two sides emphasized the importance of their inter?est in the development of entrepreneurial cooperation among Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in the above mentioned sectors and they decided to exchange on a reg?ular basis information on SMEs policies within the Euro?pean Union. The Georgian side expressed its satisfaction for a) the training courses, offered to high officials from the public sector and entrepreneurs of the Georgian SME sector, by the Hellenic Organisation of Small and Medium Sized En?terprises and Handicraft (EOMMEX), during the past three years, and b) the participation of Georgian SMEs in fairs, workshops of international interest in Greece. Both sides agreed to continue implementing the actions described in the Cooperation Protocol between EOMMEX and the Georgian Investment Centre for the mutual benefit of the SMEs of both countries. 2.4 Energy a. Electricity The Greek side noted that the Hellenic Public Power Co?operation has the possibility to offer consultant services as regards the sectors of production, transmission and distri?bution of electricity and also all activities concerning strat?egy of Power Corporations. Also it can offer educational services in many fields which concern Power Corpo?rations. The Georgian side agreed to examine the above offers and later will make its reaction on this matter. b. Hydrocarbons - Exploration and Exploitation It was noted that the Hellenic Petroleum is already ne?gotiating for an extended exploration programme in Geor?gia, although its main interest concerns the field of hydro?carbons development and production projects. The explo?4188 ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΕΩΣ (ΤΕΥΧΟΣ ΠΡΩΤΟ) above mentioned offers and agreed to continue the con?sultations in this respect. Further, the two sides noted with satisfaction, in spite of the existing problems, the establishment and operation of the ECO-Georgia. The Georgian side agreed to create the necessary conditions for the operations of this enterprise. c. Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Saving The two sides also agreed on the development of coop?eration through European and international Programmes on Renewable Energy Sources (wind, solar, small-hydro, geothermal and biomass), Rational Use of Energy Saving in the sectors of research, technical support (with pilot and demonstration projects), dissemination, public awareness and education and training of experts and technicians on relevant issues. 2.5 Transport-Telecommunications Recognizing the important role of transport in the devel?opment of the commercial and economic relations, both sides expressed their satisfaction for the cooperation achieved in the sectors of road and rail transport and agreed to further promote their rail-transport cooperation. Concerning Road Freight Transport sector, the quotas that have been agreed between Greece and Georgia are considered satisfactory. However, in the future, an in?crease in the number of the free of charges permits should be pursued, given that the two countries promote and extent their cooperation in the Black sea region, in the framework of Black Sea Economic Cooperation and the PETRA initiative. Such request concerning the number of permits could be examined by the Joint Committee provided by the Art. 2.1 of Road Transport Agreement between the Hellenic Re?public and Georgian, held in Athens, on March 1997. The regular bus service between Greece and Georgia operates satisfactory. The Greek side informed the Georgian delegation of the amendments occurred recently in Greek legislation for granting of authorisations for the operation of regular bus services. With a view to avoiding eventual difficulties that might ap?pear during the transitory period required for the proper im?plementation of the new regime, the Greek side decided to extend the validity of the existing authorizations until 31.12.2000. The Greek side expressed its strong interest for a mutual?ly beneficial cooperation on the telecommunication sector. In particular, after the BSFOCS becomes operational, Greece (OTE) and Georgia will be in position to use the available submarine cable connection. Subsequently OTE could become a node for Georgia, by delivering its telephone traffic (both local and transit) as well as its Internet traffic, research and training centers traffic, packet switched traffic, Frame Relay traffic etc. at low cost. 2.6 Tourism Both sides underlined their satisfaction for the appli?cation of the Agreement on the cooperation in the sector of Tourism, signed between the two countries in Tbilissi, in April 1997. The Georgian side expressed its satisfaction for the train?ing course offered by the Hellenic Tourism Organization (EOT) in 1997. The Greek side stated its readiness to organize on the?job-training, during the summer period, for six (6) Georgian students of tourist schools preceded by a two- week sem?inar. Also the Greek side expressed its will to send experts from the Hellenic Tourism Organisation in order to offer Know - how in the field of development and exploitation of Georgian spas. The Georgian side also expressed its interest to initiate the programmes concerned the development of tourism infrastructure and joint ventures. 2.7 Scientific cooperation, research and technology Both sides noted with satisfaction the signing of a Proto?col on Scientific and Technical Cooperation in 1999, that envisages for the elaboration of joint research pro?grammes for the period 2000-2001. The Georgian side underlined the importance of the joint participation of Greek and Georgian researchers under European Union INIAS programme.

COOPERATION IN BANKING, INSURANCE AND OTHER FINANCIAL SERVICES The Greek side informed the Georgian side on the readi?ness of the Hellenic Bank Association to offer educational seminars to high officials of Georgian banks in contempo?rary banking practices, within the framework of bilateral de?velopment assistance. The Georgian side appreciated much the granting of the credit facility by the Greek side amounting to 15 mil. US Dollars, as well as for its consensus for an extension of the disbursement period and its eventual starting on October 1st, 2001.

BILATERAL DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE The Georgian side expressed its satisfaction to the Greek side for the granting of fellowships for graduate and post?graduate studies to Georgian nationals within the framework of the granted technical assistance to Georgia. Seminars and business meetings organised within the Agenda of this assistance will contribute to the develop?ment of bilateral economic relations. The Greek side stated its readiness to continue and en?large this cooperation aiming at the economic development of Georgia. To this end, in October 1999, an Agreement for a bilateral technical assistance programme was signed be?tween the two countries aiming to further develop the tech?nical cooperation in a concerted pattern and on a medium?term time scale. The total financial commitment for the fund?ing of the programme projects is EURO 900 thousand from the budget of the Hellenic bilateral assistance. The Greek side restated its intention to contribute in the financing of the project on the restoration of the Tbilissi - Tsalka road, with the amount of 1 mil. USD from the funds of the development assistance. To this end, this amount will be deposited to the World Bank. ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΕΩΣ (ΤΕΥΧΟΣ ΠΡΩΤΟ) 4189 programme, in sectors of mutual interest to both countries. The two sides consider that the establishment of joint Greek-Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry will facilitate the expansion of bilateral economic cooperation. In addition, it was a consensus of the two sides on the ne?cessity to develop the partnership among the cities and re?gions of Greece and Georgia aimed at promoting friend?ship, mutual understanding and business cooperation. The two sides agreed that the 2nd session of the Joint In?tergovernmental Commission will take place in Tbilissi within the second semester of 2000. The precise date will be communicated through the diplomatic channels. Done in Athens, on January 18th 2000, in two original copies in English language. Both copies are equally authentic. FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA RODOULA ZISSI TAMAR BERUCHASHVILLI Deputy Minister of National Economy Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations 4190 ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΕΩΣ (ΤΕΥΧΟΣ ΠΡΩΤΟ) ΕΠΙΤΡΟΠΗΣ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΚΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΕΧΝΟΛΟΓΙΚΗΣ ΣΥΝΕΡΓΑΣΙΑΣ ΜΕΤΑΞΥ ΕΛΛΑΔΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΑΣ Η Πρώτη Σύνοδος της Ενιαίας Διακυβερνητικής Επι?τροπής Οικονομικής και Τεχνολογικής Συνεργασίας με?ταξύ Ελλάδας και Γεωργίας, έλαβε χώρα στην Αθήνα, την 17-18 Ιανουαρίου 2000, σύμφωνα με τις διατάξεις της Συμφωνίας Οικονομικής Συνεργασίας που υπεγράφη με?ταξύ των δύο χωρών το 1995. Η Υφυπουργός Εθνικής Οικονομίας, κα Ροδούλα Ζήση, ηγήθηκε της Ελληνικής Αντιπροσωπείας. Η Υπουργός Εμπορίου και Εξωτερικών Οικονομικών Σχέσεων, κα Tamar Beruchashvili, ηγήθηκε της Γεωργια?νής Αντιπροσωπείας. Η Γεωργιανή Υπουργός είχε μια συ?νάντηση με τον Υπουργό Εθνικής Οικονομίας της Ελληνι?κής Δημοκρατίας, κ. Γιάννο Παπαντωνίου. Κατά τη διάρκεια της συνεδρίασης της Ενιαίας (Διακυ?βερνητικής) Οικονομικής Επιτροπής, η οποία διεξήχθη σε μια ατμόσφαιρα αμοιβαίας κατανόησης και παραδοσια?κής φιλίας, οι δύο πλευρές, επανεξετάζοντας τις οικονο?μικές σχέσεις τους, δήλωσαν ότι ήταν διατεθειμένες να λάβουν όλα τα απαραίτητα μέτρα για να βελτιώσουν τις διμερείς σχέσεις επί τη βάσει του αμοιβαίου συμφέρο?ντος. Λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τις προσπάθειες της Γεωργίας για την ένταξή της στις Ευρωπαϊκές Διαρθρώσεις, και τη ση?μασία της Συμφωνίας PCA, ως σταθερής βάσης για την ανάπτυξη των διμερών σχέσεων, αμφότερες οι πλευρές τόνισαν το γεγονός ότι η προώθηση των οικονομικών σχέ?σεων μεταξύ Γεωργίας και Ελλάδας θα διευκολύνει ση?μαντικά την επίτευξη των αντικειμενικών σκοπών της Συμ?φωνίας PCA. Οι Κατάλογοι των Συμμετεχόντων αμφοτέρων των αντι?προσωπειών και η Ημερήσια Διάταξη της Συνόδου επισυ?νάπτονται στο παρόν Πρωτόκολλο ως Παραρτήματα ΙΙ και Ι αντίστοιχα. Όσον αφορά στα θέματα της Ημερήσιας Διάταξης, οι δύο πλευρές εξέτασαν τα ακόλουθα ζητήματα:

ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΚΗ ΚΑΤΑΣΤΑΣΗ ΣΤΙΣ ΔΥΟ ΧΩΡΕΣ Η Ελληνική πλευρά παρουσίασε τις πρόσφατες εξελί?ξεις στην Ελληνική οικονομία καθώς και την επιτυχή υλο?ποίηση του προγράμματος σύγκλισης της οικονομίας της χώρας με αυτές των άλλων κρατών μελών της Ευρωπαϊ?κής Ένωσης, εξασφαλίζοντας έτσι ότι η Ελλάδα του 2000 θα είναι το δωδέκατο μέλος της Οικονομικής και Νομι?σματικής Ένωσης. Η Γεωργιανή πλευρά έκανε επίσης μια ενημέρωση για τις πρόσφατες εξελίξεις στην οικονομία της, καθώς και για τα μέτρα που ελήφθησαν για την προώθηση των προ?σανατολισμένων στην αγορά οικονομικών μεταρρυθμίσε?ων στη χώρα.