Economic ConferenceBatumi, GeorgiaMay 12-14, 2012GENERAL INFORMATIONPROGRAMMEFridaySaturdaySundayMonday11 May12 May13 May14 MayArrival of Delegates and RegistrationFull Day MeetingsHalf Day MeetingsHalf Day MeetingsDepartures

A detailed program will be posted shortly on the OSCE PA Website at:www.oscepa.org

CONFERENCE VENUEAll meetings will take place in:Sheraton Batumi Hotel28 Rustaveli Str. Batumi, GeorgiaTel: +995 422 229000Fax: +995 422 229029www.sheratonbatumi.com

CONFERENCE SECRETARIATMs. Mary Gogoladze,Secretary of Georgian Delegation to OSCE PAHead of Inter–parliamentary Relations DivisionParliament of Georgia8 Rustaveli Ave. Tbilisi, GeorgiaTel: +995 322 281368Fax: +995 322 281742E-mail:[email protected]Ms. Tamar Kolbaia,Head of the Protocol Division,Parliament of Georgia8 Rustaveli Ave. Tbilisi, GeorgiaTel: +995 322 281742Fax: +995 322 281742Email:[email protected]Mr. Karlo Tskitishvili,Head of the Department forInternational Relations,Parliament of Georgia8 Rustaveli Ave. Tbilisi, GeorgiaTel: +995 322 282616Fax: +995 322 281742Email:[email protected]

INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIATMs. Odile LelargeConference Co-ordinatorInternational Secretariat of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly , Copenhagen, DenmarkTel: + 45 33 37 80 34 / Fax: + 45 33 37 80 30 / E-mail:[email protected]

ACCOMMODATIONThe Secretariat has made bookings with preferential rates with two hotels in the city centre, one of which is thesame hotel as the conference venue and the other one is a five minute drive from the conference venue. You arekindly requested to make your room bookingdirectly with the hotelsas soon as possible butno later than 17

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April 2012.In your communication with the hotels, please quote the booking reference(OSCE PA)as indicatedon the forms(Appendix 2A and Appendix 2B).Bookings received after the deadline will be subject to availability.Reservations must be guaranteed by use of a major credit card.Please send a copy of the Hotel Reservation Forms to:Ms. Odile Lelarge,International Secretariat of the OSCE PAFax: + 45 33 37 80 30; E-mail:[email protected]And toMrs. Tamar Kolbaia,Conference Secretariat, TbilisiFax: +995 322 281742; Email:[email protected]All of the hotel room rates include breakfast and tax (18% VAT). The room rates quoted in USD are guaranteed;the price will not fluctuate with the exchange rate between GEL and USD.All payments for accommodation and personal costs should be made directly to the hotel upon departure in theGeorgian national currency GEL.The number of rooms held in each hotel is limited, so reservation requests will be treated on a first-come first-servebasis.Kindly note the cancellation policy for each hotel as specified on the Hotel Registration Forms.Sheraton Batumi Hotel(*****)28 Rustaveli Str., BatumiDeluxe Rooms:Single: USD 107 per nightDouble/twin: USD 130 per nightExecutive Rooms:Single: USD 154 per nightDouble/twin: USD 189 per nightwww.sheratonbatumi.comPlease quote booking reference: OSCE PAEmail:[email protected]Tel: +995 422 2 29000Cancellation policy: The room can be cancelled free of charge until23rdof April, 2012. The cancellation after this date will result inmonetary restitutions to the hotel as specified on the HotelRegistration Form(Appendix 2A).

Radisson Blu Hotel, Batumi(*****)1 Ninoshvili Str., BatumiStandard Rooms:Single: USD 107 per nightDouble/twin: USD 130 per nightBusiness Class Rooms:Single: USD 177 per nightDouble/twin: USD 201 per nightwww.radissonblu.com/hotel.batumiPlease quote booking reference: OSCE PAEmail:[email protected]Tel: +995 422 225 557Cancellation policy: The room can be cancelled free of chargeuntil 7 days prior to the arrival date. The cancellation after thisdate will result in monetary restitutions to the hotel as specified onthe Hotel Registration Form(Appendix 2B).

TRANSPORTATIONTransportation will be provided for all participants between the airport and the hotel. Transport will be provided totake delegates from the selected hotel(s) to the conference venue and back, as well as to all social functions and forthe accompanying persons’ programme and excursions.Special direct flights from and to Vienna have been organized byGeorgian Airwaysas follows:Friday 11 May 2012: Vienna - BatumiFlight number A9 1682 – departure from VIE at 12:00 - arrival at BUS at 16:50 (Local time)Monday 14 May 2012: Batumi – ViennaFlight number A9 1681 - departure from BUS at 15:45 – arrival at VIE at 17:00 (Local time)For the ticket booking and payment procedures please see the attachedAppendix 1.

REGISTRATIONThe registration form(Appendix 3)should be sent to Ms. Odile Lelarge at the OSCE PA International Secretariat(fax: +45 33 37 80 30; email: [email protected] ) by17 April 2012.Please also send a copy to Ms. Tamar Kolbaia,Head of the Protocol Division, Parliament of Georgia Fax: +995 322 281742 Email:[email protected].Upon arrival, delegates are requested to register at the Registration Desks at the SheratonBatumi Hotelon 11thofMay from 4:00 pm to 7.30 pm. The Registration Desks will also be available from 9.00 am on 12thMay.Participants may be required to show an official identification (passport or identity card) when registering. Allparticipants will be required to wear identity badges to attend meetings and social events, as well as when usingtransportation services offered by the conference.

INTERPRETATIONInterpretation will be provided in six official languages of the OSCE (English, French, German, Italian, Russian andSpanish). No translation service will be available.

DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATIONAll Embassies and High Commissions in Georgia will be notified of the meetings and will receive a copy of theprogramme.Participants wishing to reach their diplomatic representatives in Georgia can consult the listing available on theDepartment of Foreign Affairs website atwww.mfa.gov.ge.

SECURITYAll participants, including accompanying persons, staff and press will be required to wear their conference identitybadges at all meetings and social functions and transportation

INSURANCEPersonal and medical insurance is the responsibility of individual participants. The OSCE PA and the Parliament ofGeorgia will not be responsible for any loss of luggage, personal effects or medical expenses.

VISASDelegates, parliamentarians, staff and accompanying persons, attending the conference from countries outside of theEuropean Union, as well as US and Canada are advised to check on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ofGeorgia if they need an entry visa:http://mfa.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=96.Participants who need a visa to enter Georgia will be issued a visa upon their arrival at the airport, except thosepersons who in violation of the Law of Georgia on Occupied Territories have trespassed the occupied regions ofGeorgia - Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region – without the Georgian Government’s prior authorization.Citizens of countries, in need of visa, owning Diplomatic and Service Passports will be issued Diplomatic Visasupon arrival. Persons possessingordinary passportswill also receive Diplomatic Visas upon arrival, but are kindly

requested to send a copy of their passport to the following e-mail:[email protected]in advance forconducting necessary procedures.Confirmation that visas will be delivered upon arrival will be sent to the participants requesting it. Visaswill be delivered free of charge.

TIMEGeorgia is on GET (Georgian Standard Time) zone, which equals GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) + 4h00.

DRESSBusiness attire is appropriate for meetings and most social events. Casual dress (jacket, no tie) will be appropriatefor participating in the excursion.

EXCURSION DAYOn 13th May 2012 participants will be given the opportunity to visit historical and cultural sites in Batumi.

ACCOMPANYING PERSONS’ PROGRAMMETwo half day programmes will be available on 12thand 13thMay. Accompanying persons are kindly requested towear their identity badges at all times.

CURRENCY AND BANKINGThe currency unit in Georgia is the Georgian Lari (GEL). Most major international currencies can be exchanged atbanks, airports and in hotels.Banking hours are generally between 10.00- 16.30 Monday – Friday. ATM (cash) machines are widely available inbanks, hotels and shopping centres. Major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard and American Express) are accepted inmost places.

TELECOMMUNICATIONSOnly mobile phones with GSM subscriptions and a roaming agreement will work in Georgia. Visitors shouldconsult with their supplier before leaving.

ELECTRICITY SERVICEThe standard electricity voltage in Georgia is 230/240 Volts a.c., nominal, at 50Hz, with plugs being of the 2 pintype. A transformer and plug adaptor (to convert 3-pin plugs to the standard 2-pin plug) may be required.

WEATHERBatumi has a mild humid temperate climate with warm summers. May is the driest month of the year with anaverage day temperature of 16�C.