PM Kvirikashvili meets with high-ranking officials at Munich Security Conference

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili attended the opening of the Munich Security Conference in Germany yesterday, where he met with various high-ranking officials from numerous countries in addition.

At a meeting with the Vice President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Energy Maros Sefcovic, the parties discussed Georgia's accession to the Energy Union. Both sides believe that this move will promote Georgia's alignment with European standards and will streamline energy issues.

Interesting mtng w/ @MarosSefcovic.Discussed accession to the #EnergyUnion w/ will promote #Georgia’s alignment with #EU standards #MSC2017pic.twitter.com/l10tcsbJaA

— Giorgi Kvirikashvili (@KvirikashviliGi) February 17, 2017

It was also emphasised that membership in the Energy Union will enable Georgia to improve its energy security and boost the development of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.

Kvirikashvili pointed out that the Georgian Government prioritises the development of renewable energy sources to generate new power capabilities.

The parties also discussed major regional transit projects and Georgia's role in their successful implementation.

One of the topics discussed was the second phase of the Shah-Deniz Project, also TANAP and TAP, which the sides say will increase transit of natural gas tremendously. Special attention was paid to the South Caucasus Pipeline Expansion Project, a part of the Shah-Deniz Project which plays an important role in the energy security of Georgia and the region at large.

Prime Minister Kvirikashvili invited the Vice President of the European Commission to participate in Georgia's European Way conference, which will be held in June in Batumi – Georgia’s Black Sea coastal resort town.

Productive mtng w/ president @ashrafghani. Agreed to intensify #trade,#economic,#transport& #transit cooperation btwn our countries #MSC2017pic.twitter.com/cu5b01urBa

— Giorgi Kvirikashvili (@KvirikashviliGi) February 17, 2017

Kvirikashvili held a meeting with Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani as well, during which issues such as trade, economic and transit cooperation were discussed.

Ghani thanked Kvirikashvili for Georgia’s assistance in security-related issues in Afghanistan.

Kvirikashvili is attending the Munich Security Conference from February 17-19.

Per its official website, this year's conference agenda focuses on the future of transatlantic relations and NATO after the election of Donald Trump as the US President; the state of European cooperation in security and defense matters; relations with Russia as well as the war in Syria; the security situation in the Asia-Pacific and information warfare.