Georgia’s PM, UN Secretary General speak in phone call

Ban Ki-moon's visit to Georgia was postponed after "urgent issues" arose elsewhere that needed his attention, said the UN. UN Photo/Rick Bajornas.
Agenda.ge, 23 Apr 2016 - 19:53, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has spoken on the phone with United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

This afternoon the UN top official instigated the phone conversation following yesterday’s announcement that his visit to Georgia had been postponed.

Ban Ki-moon was initially scheduled to visit Tbilisi today, April 23.

"The UN Secretary General contacted the head of Georgia’s Government on the phone today and expressed his sorrow that due to an over-scheduled agenda, he had to postpone his Georgia visit,” the Prime Minister’s press office said in a statement.

The statement also noted Ban Ki-moon said Georgia was "a good example for many other countries”.

The Prime Minister’s press office noted the Secretary General was ready to visit Georgia before the end of this year to "personally witness the impressive results of the country’s democratic and economic reforms”.

Ban Ki-moon said the UN was keen for more active involvement in the Geneva International Talks.

Kvirikashvili told the Secretary General he would host him in Georgia any time convenient for him.

The UN top official was scheduled to visit Tbilisi today and remain in Georgia for two days before heading to Armenia’s capital Yerevan and then to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

Chief Officer of the Department of Public Information of the UN Armenian Office, Armine Halajyan cited UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric and said: "According to Dujarric, the Secretary General was interested in the South Caucasus region yet due to urgent issues his presence is needed elsewhere, so the visit to South Caucasus will be rescheduled”.

When Ban Ki-moon does visit Georgia this will be his first official visit and second general visit to the country. He first visited the country in 1994.

While in Tbilisi the UN Secretary General planned to hold meetings with leading Georgian legislative and executive officials and take part in several other events, Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Ban Ki-Moon, 72, is a South Korean statesman and politician who is the eighth and current head of the UN. He was invited to Georgia by the country’s Prime Minister.

A new date has not been set for Ban Ki-moon’s South Caucasus tour.