Georgian President in Estonia: ‘We are following the same path to the same future’
Salome Zurabishvili is on an official visit to Estonia on May 16-17. Photo: president.gov.ge
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“I am convinced that we will get where you are and we will be again in the same family”, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili said at a joint press conference with her Estonian counterpart Kersti Kaljulaid in Tallinn today.
The Georgian President, who is on an official visit to Estonia on May 16-17, said the two countries “are following the same path to the same future”.
The fact that Georgia has continued its path toward the EU and @NATO with determination is victory for us and a defeat for our northern neighbor. We are thankful for #Estonia's support for our Euro-Atlantic path and for President @KerstiKaljulaid's strong words in our favor. pic.twitter.com/rXZvvHeicP
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) May 16, 2019
Speaking of her country’s European Union and NATO aspirations, President Zurabishvili said despite the Russian occupation of the two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, which "aggravates" the country’s path to EU and NATO, “this is our victory that we have managed to… really move steadily, step-after-step, towards our ambition”.
She then noted that throughout decades, Georgia has moved from neighbourhood to partnership, from partnership to Association Agreement, Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area and visa liberalisation.
If Russia’s intention was to prevent us, to block us down that road, it has not succeeded”, President Zurabishvili said.
It’s our victory and their defeat, it’s our common victory, because it’s also the victory of all the countries that have supported us, that are supporting us now”, she addressed her Estonian counterpart.
Pleasure to welcome president @Zourabichvili_S in #Tallinn on her first visit to #Estonia as President of #Georgia. Looking forward our close and frank cooperation. #Georgia has a special place in every Estonian’s heart and I am not an expection. #EstGeo pic.twitter.com/F11Waj3yDN
— Kersti Kaljulaid (@KerstiKaljulaid) May 16, 2019
President Kaljulaid reiterated her country’s support for Georgia’s EU and NATO aspirations as well as its territorial integrity.
Estonia stands firmly, side-by-side with Georgia, supporting your path to both of these organisations. Georgia belongs there”, Kaljulaid stated.
Georgia deserves it and Georgia needs to be involved in EU enlargement debates. Sooner or later this will happen”, she added.
Calling the occupation line “an evil line breaking the country into parts” the Estonian President said “we will never forget to mention the issue” among partners, allies, and “the people who are not so friendly to us”.
Kersti Kaljulaid and Salome Zurabishvili visit Mikkeli museum. Photo: Georgian President's press office
Today, the Georgian and Estonian Presidents also visited the exhibition of the celebrated Georgian Niko Pirosmani at the Mikkeli museum in Tallinn.
President Zurabishvili also met with the Estonian Parliamentary Speaker Henn Põlluaas.
Great meeting with Henn Põlluaas, President of the @Riigikogu of #Estonia, to talk about ideas on how to deepen the cooperation between #Tallinn and #Tbilisi. ???????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/Ab7X93PxV5
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) May 16, 2019
The Georgian President also laid wreath at the War of Independence Victory Column and visited the Memorial to the Victims of Communism. She later exchanged views with Georgian diaspora and students.
Tomorrow Salome Zurabishvili will meet with Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas and participate in the Lennart Meri Conference in Estonia.