Georgian FM to MPs: meeting with Russian FM was ‘needed, important’, held at the ‘right time’
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani told MPs earlier today why his September 26 meeting with Russian FM Sergey Lavrov was important. Photo: Foreign Ministry press office.
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Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has told Georgian MPs that his meeting with Russian FM Sergey Lavrov at the end of September in New York was needed, important and came at the right time.
Zalkaliani, who appeared in parliament earlier today to brief MPs on foreign affairs issues, said that the tension at the occupation line was the major reason prompting the meeting.
He said that despite the fact that Georgia had raised the tension issue “in all formats and with all international organisations working on conflict issues,” the tension was not eased “and it was important to prevent further escalation.”
We raised the issue at all meetings during the UN General Assembly session and our partners offered us to discuss the possibility of the meeting with Lavrov,” Zalkaliani said.
He stated that the initiative was pushed forward by Switzerland and was discussed with allies, including foreign ministers of the EU member states and the US State Secretary Mike Pompeo.
All of them stated that the meeting was necessary in the situation and the statements made by them after the meeting confirmed that,” Zalkaliani said.
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He reiterated that he raised all the issues which were important for Georgia during his meeting with Lavrov, adding that they have not discussed the possibility of creating any new format of negotiations or a change in existing formats.
The opposition criticized Zalkaliani for his meeting with Lavrov, ”which was unexpected.”
Georgia and Russia have not had diplomatic relations since the Russia-Georgia 2008 war.
An economic format of cooperation was launched in 2013.
The US Department of State Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus has tweeted that the US government welcomes the recent meeting between Georgian and Russian foreign ministers, held in New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly with the mediation of Switzerland.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia says that yesterday’s meeting between Georgian and Russian foreign ministers was welcomed and accepted by Georgia’s international partners.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said that the recent meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov should not be considered as the change of existing format of negotiations with Russia.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York today. The meeting, which is the first since Georgia suspended its diplomatic ties with Russia following the Russia-Georgia war in 2008, was "initiated and facilitated" by Switzerland.