Georgian PM discusses “positive trends” of cooperation, prospects for strengthening ties with Norwegian FM
Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday met with Anniken Huitfeldt, the foreign minister of Norway. Photo: government press office
Tweet 
Share
Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday discussed “positive trends” in current cooperation and prospects of further strengthening ties with Anniken Huitfeldt, the foreign minister of Norway, the government administration said.
At their meeting in Tbilisi, the head of the Georgian government thanked Norwegian authorities for being “one of the largest donors” of Georgia for democratic reforms and institutional modernisation, as well as for their support for his country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The officials focused on the need to further strengthen work on a Black Sea regional unity, noting Georgia’s strategic location for the energy security of the European Union.
The Georgian prime minister said the country was a “reliable partner and ally of Europe in the region”.
Joint work in defence exercises and training of territorial reserve units are part of cooperation efforts included in a five-year bilateral cooperation plan signed between the National Guard of Georgia and the Norwegian Interior Guard, Georgia’s Defence Ministry announced on Thursday.
Norway has pledged a multi-annual contribution of approximately €3.75 million to the Council of Europe’s new Action Plan for Georgia 2020-2023, announces the Council of Europe Office in Georgia.
Norway is going to open an embassy in Georgia, announces the Government of Norway. At the same time, the embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan will be closed and the embassy in Ankara, Turkey will then be responsible for Norway’s relations with Azerbaijan.
'Syria's decision to recognise the breakaway regions of Georgia is a violation of international law. Norway will maintain its support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity,' said the State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway Audun Halvorsen.
Georgian foreign minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Monday said the “close cooperation” established between Georgia and Norway had brought the country “tangible results”.
Georgian foreign minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Monday praised the role of Tbilisi as a “regional diplomatic hub” as Norway unveiled its embassy in Georgia’s capital.
Anniken Huitfeldt, the foreign minister of Norway, on Monday said Georgia had taken “important steps” in terms of democratisation and good governance, and expressed her desire to see the process continue.
Anniken Huitfeldt, the foreign minister of Norway, on Tuesday visited sections of the administrative boundary line in central Georgia’s village of Khurvaleti that separates the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region from the rest of the country.
The Georgian government “remains committed” to continuing “intensive reforms” to ensure better protection of the environment and biodiversity, prime minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Thursday at the Mission Life movement - Lifestyle for the Environment forum in India.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Zurab Beridze, the country’s newly appointed Ambassador to Norway, on Monday discussed the existing cooperation and prospects for closer partnership between the two states.