UK Minister for Europe opens first UK-Georgia dialogue

The United Kingdom’s Minister for Europe David Lidington and the Foreign Minister of Georgia Tamar Beruchashvili met in London today for the inaugural session of the UK-Georgia bilateral dialogue.

The parties discussed Georgia’s recent Association Council meeting in Brussels, current political developments in Georgia and the region and their priorities for the bilateral meeting, the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office said in a press statement.

Lidington reiterated the UK supported Georgia as it worked towards closer integration with the European Union and NATO.

"I am delighted to launch the UK-Georgia dialogue today with Foreign Minister Beruchashvili. I hope that these meetings will strengthen further the already close relationship enjoyed by the UK and Georgia as it develops further ties with the Euro-Atlantic area,” Lidington said.

The aim of the dialogue, which was initiated during a visit by former Foreign Secretary William Hague to Tbilisi in May 2014, is to celebrate the existing strong relations between the UK and Georgia, discuss mutual issues of concern, and identify new areas for cooperation.

In honour of the memory of Britain's first Chief Commissioner to Georgia, Sir Oliver Wardrop, whose 150th anniversary was celebrated this year in both Georgia and the UK, the two sides have agreed to name the bilateral dialogue The Wardrop Dialogue.

During the day of talks the two sides will discuss issues relating to foreign policy, national security and defence, and commercial, economic and energy with a particular focus on issues where the UK and Georgia may be able to work more closely and share knowledge and experience.

As well as Foreign Minister Beruchashvili, the Georgian delegation in the UK includes Deputy Minister for Economy and Sustainable Development Mikheil Janelidze and Deputy Minister for Energy Mariam Valishvili.

The two Deputy Ministers are scheduled to meet the UK’s Trade Minister Lord Livingston and attend a business forum facilitated by the British Georgia Chamber of Commerce.