Estonian PM: World mustn’t forget a quarter of Georgia remains occupied

Granting Georgia a liberal visa regime would be the best way the European Union (EU) can show its support for Georgia as the country strives towards the Euro-Atlantic space.

This thought was suggested by Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili at a joint press briefing with Estonia’s Prime Minister Taavi Roivas in Tallinn yesterday.

Garibashvili said a liberal visa regime would also be the best reflection of the reforms Georgia had recently implemented.

Roivas agreed the progress achieved by Georgia regarding implementation of its Visa Liberalisation Action Plan should be "properly recognised”.

"Measuring Georgia’s progress towards visa liberalisation should be based on objective criteria only,” the Estonian official said.

PM @TaaviRoivas: Measuring Georgian progress towards visa liberalisation should be based on objective criteria only pic.twitter.com/qmGLUQ3wpY

— Estonian Government (@EstonianGovt) November 2, 2015

At the media briefing the two officials focused on the close partnership between Georgia and Estonia and noted intensifying economic relations was high on agenda of both countries.

The pair also highlighted the regional security issue, to which Roivas said: "The world should not forget that one quarter of Georgian territory is still occupied”.

PM @TaaviRoivas to @PrimeMinisterGE : The world should not forget that 1/4 of Georgian territory is still ocupied pic.twitter.com/dH13Bl9ulA

— Estonian Government (@EstonianGovt) November 2, 2015

Meanwhile Garibashvili spoke about the media environment in Georgia and said the country was a regional leader regarding press freedom. He also said his Government had simplified media legislation, which now allowed anyone could "open a TV company in Georgia in just ten days.”

When questioned about the ongoing controversy regarding privately-owned Rustavi 2 TV company, Garibashvili said the issue was a legal dispute between two private parties in which the state would not interfere.

"We vow that in Georgia no one will stand above the law. This is a real democracy and the top value of the EU, towards which we are moving to,” the Georgian PM said.

While in Tallinn, Garibashvili also attended Tbilisoba - a celebration to honour Georgia’s capital Tbilisi.

Celebrating historic friendship that connects #Georgia and #Estonia. #Tbilisoba2015 in #Tallinn .@TaaviRoivaspic.twitter.com/wVVRYuztz8

— Irakli Garibashvili (@PrimeMinisterGE) November 3, 2015

The event - where anyone could taste Georgian food and wine and explore Georgian culture - was attended by Estonia’s Prime Minister, head of its parliament and other government officials.

While drinking to the "lasting friendship between Georgia and Estonia”, Garibashvili said: "Georgia has always seen Estonia as its one of the most reliable friends”.