German Chancellor visits occupation line
Merkel spent half an hour in the village and observed the territories beyond the occupation line through binoculars. Photo: Irakli Gedenidze/1TV.GE
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Angela Merkel has visited the occupation line in the village of Odzisi, Khashuri municipality before leaving Georgia.
She was accompanied by representatives of the EU monitoring mission who provided her with detailed information about the situation across the occupation line.
Merkel spent half an hour in the village and took the opportunity to observe the territories beyond the occupation line through binoculars.
She left the territory without making any public comments.
Earlier today while speaking at Tbilisi State University, she noted that despite Georgia’s tight ties with the EU and NATO, she could hardly imagine the country’s quick membership in the alliance.
“I want to say sincerely, that I do not see ways for Georgia’s quick membership in NATO. We are not able to speak about fast membership especially in the context of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This is Germany’s position and this position is not going to change despite the fact that the recent NATO summit has approved a new NATO-Georgia cooperation package,” she said.
After spending one day and a half in Georgia for meetings with the Georgian government, opposition and students, Angela Merkel has now left for Armenia.
Tomorrow she will visit Azerbaijan and finish her South Caucasus tour.
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