Georgian FM discusses ties, cooperation with Swiss counterpart in first visit
Georgian and Swiss Foreign Ministers met on Monday, as part of Ilia Darchiashvili’s first official visit to Switzerland. Photo: Ilia Darchiashvili’s Twitter
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Ilia Darchiashvili, the Georgian Foreign Minister, and his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis on Monday discussed bilateral ties and existing “fruitful cooperation” between their states during the Georgian official’s first official visit to Switzerland.
At the meeting, Darchiashvili thanked his colleague for his Government's “firm support” for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and its contribution to reconciliation and confidence-building projects for the conflict-affected communities living in the Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions, the Georgian foreign office said.
It was a pleasure meeting FM @ignaziocassis during my official visit to Switzerland. We welcomed the positive dynamics of ???????????????? cooperation in various fields of mutual interest and discussed the prospects for its further development. Grateful for your firm support for ????????. pic.twitter.com/4DftPR9cVP
— Ilia Darchiashvili (@iliadarch) June 19, 2023
The sides also reviewed the complicated security environment in the South Caucasus region, created by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the importance of the Black Sea region for the European continent.
The officials highlighted “successful operation” of Swiss companies in Georgia and pointed to the increased numbers of Swiss tourists to the country over the years, after discussing trade and economic cooperation.
They also made a mention of the visit of Helene Budliger Artieda, the State Secretary for Economic Affairs of Switzerland, to Georgia earlier this month, and activities of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, which Darchiashvili said had made a “great contribution” to the socio-economic development of his country.
Before ending his visit on Tuesday, Darchiashvili will hold meetings with the President of the National Council of Switzerland and the Mayor of Bern.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili and Helene Budliger Artieda, the State Secretary for Economic Affairs of Switzerland on Thursday discussed economic ties and the increase by 30 percent in trade turnover between the two countries in 2022.
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Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday discussed prospects for future cooperation with Irène Kälin, the president of the national council of Switzerland, the government administration said.
From October 1, Switzerland will add Georgia to its list of safe countries, joining the other 14 countries in the EU/Schengen zone to do the same.
Cooperation between Georgia and Switzerland, including ties between the legislative bodies of the two countries, was discussed on Monday in a meeting between the Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and Martin Candinas, the President of the National Council of Switzerland.