Georgia welcomes Romanian Prime Minister
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Georgia hosted an impressive ceremony to welcome Romania’s Prime Minister to the country.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili hosted his Romanian counterpart Victor Ponta at the State Chancellery today.
Ponta was greeted with an official ceremony, which included red carpets and live music.
It was the first visit of the Romanian Prime Minister to Georgia.
Official sources said Garibashvili and Ponta held a meeting where the Georgian leader thanked his counterpart for his country’s "active involvement” in the EU monitoring mission within Georgian conflict regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Romania was the highest contributor to the mission among the European countries, with 38 monitors deployed in the field observing the territory that borders with Georgia’s breakaway regions.
Garibashvili said Georgia was grateful to Romania for its support of the country’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
Speaking at the press-conference after the meeting, Garibashvili noted security issues in the region were on the agenda of the meeting.
Garibashvili expressed hope that the countries would tighten their economic relations.
During the meeting Garibashvili and Ponta discussed the possibility of reestablishing direct marine connection between Georgian and Romanian ports.
From his side, Ponta said Romania also looked forward to strengthening cooperation with Georgia and assist the country in its integration to Europe.
"Romania thinks it must help Georgia and be an ally in the European Union. We must assist Georgia to join the EU,” Ponta said after meeting.
Ponta led the Romanian government delegation, which consisted of Romanian Ministers of Economy, Foreign Affairs, Sports and Youth Issues as well as Government counselors and MPs.
The wider group also held meetings with their Georgian counterparts today.
Later this afternoon, Ponta met Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili, who said he discussed the possible signing of the Association Agreement with the EU.
"After the document is signed, Parliament of European countries should ratify it. Georgia wants to speed up this process,” Margvelashvili stated.
The Romanian delegation will spend a second day in Georgia tomorrow. As well as official meetings, Garibashvili and Ponta are expected to watch a rugby game between the Georgian and Romanian national teams in Tbilisi.
Romania’s Prime Minister is making time to enjoy a game of rugby when he visits the country later this week.
A group of international experts have arrived in Georgia to assess the country’s progress towards European Union integration.
Usupashvili believed Romania’s position was "unchangeable” and the country’s relations with Georgia was a priority.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Davit Usupashvili has expressed his gratitude to Romanian officials for supporting Georgia on its journey to EU integration, following a meeting with the Senate Speaker Crin Antonescu in Bucharest.
Mutual relations between Georgia and two of its European neighbours will be discussed between the countries when Georgia’s Parliament Speaker heads abroad on an official visit this week.
A delegation of Romanian government members, lead by the country’s Prime Minister Victor Porta, are enjoying an official visit to Georgia.
Georgia’s Foreign Minister has welcomed Romania as the first European Union (EU) member state to ratify the EU’s Association Agreement with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
Georgia’s Prime Minister is continuing an official visit abroad.
Georgia's Prime Minister is continuing his busy schedule abroad. After spending time on official duties in Belgium, the Georgian PM is now in Romania.
Georgia’s positive relations with Romania were the topic of discussions today at several meetings between Romanian and Georgian high officials.