PM Bakhtadze thanks Georgian diplomats for their role in Georgian Euro-Atlantic integration
The Georgian PM says that 2018 was particularly successful for NATO-Georgia and Georgia-EU relations. Photo: Prime Minister’s press office.
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Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze has thanked Georgian diplomats for their efforts towards the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration.
The primary goal of the Georgian government is the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration and you play the main roles in this regard,” Bakhtadze told Georgian diplomats at the annual meeting of heads of diplomatic representations and consulates – Ambassadors’ Conference 2018.
Bakhtadze stated that in a challenging world, having a pragmatic, flexible and reasonable foreign policy is more necessary than ever.
I panel discussion #AmbassadorsConference2018: MFA's 2018 achievements, new initiatives, presentation of the project of foreign policy strategy for 2019-22 pic.twitter.com/ps7BLrVTli
— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) December 18, 2018
We all know about the challenges we face and how risky the world political shakings are for the countries with young democracy like us,” Bakhtadze said.
He stated that due to the devoted work of the Georgian government and diplomats, Georgia has taken genuine steps towards NATO and EU integration.
He mentioned the unique format of meetings with the EU commissioner and NATO special meeting with Georgian and Ukrainian heads of states this year.
Holding the meetings included significant messages for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations,” Bakhtadze said.
Family photo at the #AmbassadorsConference2018 ???????? pic.twitter.com/oIZl1wpoM5
— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) December 18, 2018
Bakhtadze spoke about the occupation of historic Georgian lands by Russia and stated that the issue has been raised at all international and domestic meetings, where the occupation issue could be discussed.
It is the merit of Georgian diplomats that the Georgian occupation issue has been on the agenda of the international community,” Bakhtadze said.
Bakhtadze spoke about Georgia-US relations and the recently passed supportive act by the US Congress, which condemns the Georgian occupation in Georgia and establishes sanctions against those people who have violated human rights in two Georgian occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali.
Bakhtadze hailed the document as being of “the highest importance.”
He also stated that the Frankfurt Book Fair this year significantly raised awareness of Georgia.
Georgian Ambassador to the EU Natalie Sabanadze stated that the EU launched talks on enlargement this year.
“It is important that the enlargement issue has returned back on the agenda of the EU as it was frozen for several years. The enlargement concerns the Balkan states. However, the fact that the EU enlargement is still on the agenda is good for us as well,” Sabanadze said.
Sixty-eight young Georgians were selected this year to take part in the third round of the Young European Ambassadors initiative.
The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will have new structures from April 1, 2018, to further enhance the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry has introduced nine new ambassadorial candidates to represent the country in Switzerland, Spain, Norway, Belarus, Qatar, Argentina, Indonesia, Ethiopia and the South African Republic.
Today President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili signed a decree and officially appointed David Bakradze as Georgia’s new Ambassador to the United States (US).
The Government of Georgia has adopted its foreign policy strategy for 2019-2022, which covers a wide range of issues that the country aims to address in the next four years. Russia’s occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) remains among the key challenges for the country.