Governor to Lead Economic Development and Diplomatic Mission to Europe

Delegation will visit six countries in two weeks

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue will lead a state delegation on an economic development and diplomatic mission to Europe from June 18 to June 29. The mission will take the Governor to six countries, including the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland), France, the Czech Republic, Germany and Belgium. The Governor's delegation will include Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, State Senator Eric Johnson, officials from the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), business leaders from various Georgia industries and civic leaders from Georgia communities.

Governor Perdue's mission will focus on several key sectors, including aerospace, automotive and life sciences. Additionally, he will meet with heads of state and government throughout Europe.

"Georgia's business climate makes our state the ideal location to succeed and thrive, and we are going to spread that message to business and government leaders throughout Europe," Governor Perdue said. "Our international economic development efforts are stronger than ever, and we will continue to build relationships and encourage new investment and job creation in Georgia."

In Dublin, the Governor's emphasis will be on the miracle of the "Celtic Tiger," the transformation of Ireland into the healthiest and one of the wealthiest economies in Europe. He will meet with business, civic and educational leaders to discuss and explore existing and potential new linkages between Georgia and Ireland.

In an historic visit, Governor Perdue will become the first senior political official from the United States to visit Northern Ireland since the restoration of the devolved government on May 8, 2007. In addition to calls on Protestant and Catholic leaders of the new government, the Georgia delegation will spend a day in Belfast, examining the revitalization of the city through joint ventures between economic developers and educational institutions.

While in France, the Governor will attend Le Bourget, the world's largest air show, which takes place outside Paris. Governor Perdue will also deliver the keynote address to the closing dinner of the annual meeting of the French-American Foundation. The French portion of the mission will conclude with a wreath-laying ceremony at the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach in Normandy.

The Georgia Allies, a partnership between state government and private corporations designed to lead economic development marketing efforts, will take its annual European mission to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, in Central Europe. Governor Perdue will join this group of Georgians at the opening of the 11th Annual European Automotive News Congress on Tuesday, June 26, in Prague. He will also be received by His Excellency Vaclav Klaus, President of the Czech Republic.

The Governor then travels to Munich in Germany, home of the State of Georgia's European Office. In addition to a busy schedule of business meetings over two days, the Governor will be received by Bavarian Minister President Edmund Stoiber, and a State Dinner will be held in his honor.

Finally, Governor Perdue visit Brussels, Belgium, for a series of business meetings before returning to Atlanta.

"It is an honor to represent our state on my first diplomatic mission" Lt. Governor Casey Cagle said. "Growing Georgia's economy and bringing more jobs to our state is a top priority of mine and a key component to this is strengthening goodwill and relationships with our European partners in order to compete in a worldwide marketplace."

This European mission marks the 11th overall international trip and second to Europe of Governor Perdue's fifty-two months in office. Previous visits include: Germany and the United Kingdom (June 2003); Japan and Korea (October 2003); El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras (May 2004); Brazil, Chile, and Argentina (June 2004); Mexico (September 2004); Canada (July 2005); Japan (October 2005); Israel (November 2005); and Korea (March 2006). The Governor also visited with United States military personnel during a Thanksgiving 2005 trip to Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.