Georgian PM: ‘one may say without exaggeration that Lithuania is one of Georgia’s closest friends’
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze has thanked his Lithuanian counterpart Saulius Skvernelis for the latter’s country’s continued support to Georgia. Photo: Prime Minister’s press office.
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Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze has stated in Lithuania today that the country is one of Georgia’s closest allies and friends.
Our special relations are proved by the milestones celebrated last year - the 100th anniversary from the establishment of the First Democratic Republic of Georgia and the 100th Anniversary of Regained Statehood of Lietuva. Besides, our nations are now referred to by their authentic names - Sakartvelo and Lietuva,” Bakhtadze said, during apress conference with his Lithuanian counterpart Saulius Skvernelis.
Bakhtadze stated that Lithuania is actively trying to share its experience to help Georgia carry out democratic reforms and achieve its Euro-Atlantic goals.
Many thanks to ???????? PM Saulius Skvernelis for his warm welcome and hospitality. Georgia is grateful to our ???????? friends & for all the support that we get on our path to European & Euro-Atlantic integration. We are truly blessed to have such dedicated friends and partners! pic.twitter.com/FiBJVoSQyd
— Mamuka Bakhtadze (@BakhtadzeMamuka) January 21, 2019
We are creating new formats for EU cooperation, which will give a greater impulse to Georgia towards European integration and will create new opportunities.
Bakhtadze stated that the goal of the Georgian government is to become compatible with the EU and thanked the Lithuanian government for its support.
That is the purpose of the EU-Georgia Membership Roadmap, which will be presented to our European friends soon,” Bakhtadze said.
Bakhtadze stated that he and Skvernelis believe that “Georgia has all the practical mechanisms for full-fledged membership in NATO”.
Speaking about cultural and educational ties Bakhtadze said that more Georgian students are looking at Lithuanian universities for their studies.
Currently, almost 200 students are matriculated in your higher education institutions, who may benefit from government scholarships allocated by the Government of Lithuania,” Bakhtadze said.
I am honored to have the opportunity to personally thank Madam President for her enduring support for Georgia. @Grybauskaite_LT, you are a true inspiration to many in Georgia. Hope we will work more closely together to advance our common goals and partnership on ????????’s road to West pic.twitter.com/1pieMF6tGU
— Mamuka Bakhtadze (@BakhtadzeMamuka) January 21, 2019
Skvernelis stated that Lithuania has continuously supported Georgia’s independence and territorial integrity.
Neither force nor intimidation by force are permissible in international relations. We have been supporting and will continue to support the solid aspirations of Georgia towards full integration in the EU and NATO.”
He said that Lithuania has been supporting and will continue to support the choice of Georgia to create an open, democratic and prosperous state based on the principle of justice.
The same was stated by Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite during her meeting with Bakhtadze today.
Lithuania will continue firmly supporting Georgia on its path to European and Euro-Atlantic integration,” she said.
During his trip Bakhtadze laid a wreath at the Memorial of Heroes Fallen for the Independence and Freedom of the Republic of Lithuania and also honored the memory of the Georgian Captain Davit (Datiko) Machavariani, a fighter for Georgia's independence, who is buried in Lithuania.