Georgian FM discusses fruitful strategic cooperation, EU integration with French counterpart
The Georgian diplomat expressed hope that France, as “one of the leading countries” of the EU, would continue to support Georgia on its path to accession to the bloc. Photo via MFA of Georgia
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Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Saturday discussed the close, friendly relations and fruitful strategic cooperation, based on common European values and interests, with his French counterpart Stéphane Séjourné.
At an introductory meeting, held within the framework of the Munich Security Conference, Darchiashvili congratulated Séjourné on his appointment as the FM and expressed readiness for close cooperation with him.
Good opportunity to meet with my French colleague @steph_sejourne . Fruitful coop in various fields and prospects for its further development were the core topics of discussion. Focused on ???????? ‘s historic achievement on the EU accession path, which is a clear recognition of the… pic.twitter.com/7C7Fb3gn9M
— Ilia Darchiashvili (@iliadarch) February 17, 2024
The sides highlighted Georgia's progress on the path to joining the European Union and the historic decision of the European Council to grant the country the bloc’s membership candidate status in December 2023, the Foreign Ministry said.
Darchiashvili emphasised the country’s work to implement the recent recommendations by the European Commission for opening accession talks with the EU and thanked the French side for supporting Georgia’s European aspirations.
"À mon homologue géorgien Ilia Dartchiachvili, j'ai rappelé que la France était aux côtés de la Géorgie dans son chemin européen.
— France Diplomatie???????????????? (@francediplo) February 17, 2024
Nous avons également échangé au sujet des relations stratégiques qui lient nos deux pays."@steph_sejourne #MSC2024 pic.twitter.com/yd5rlAmQli
The Georgian diplomat expressed hope that France, as “one of the leading countries” of the EU, would continue to support Georgia on its path to accession to the bloc.
The conversation also touched on the positive dynamics of the exchange of high-level visits between the two countries, with the FMs highlighting the significance of the Dimitri Amilakhvari French-Georgian dialogue format, named after the legendary Georgian officer and national hero of France, to further deepen the relations.
At the end of the meeting, the parties once again confirmed their readiness to promote the further strengthening of relations between Georgia and France.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and James O'Brien, the Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, on Saturday discussed the “robust strategic partnership” and the importance of “further enhancing” ties between the two countries.
Sheraz Gasri, the French Ambassador to Georgia, on Thursday reaffirmed her Government's support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity following the illegal move by de facto authorities in the country’s occupied north-western Abkhazia region to transfer land to Russia this week.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday highlighted France's support for the country’s European Union integration path.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday hailed Georgian people, “whose commitment to democracy and Europe no longer needs to be proven”.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Sunday said the meetings, held on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, “served the main purpose” - ensuring Georgia’s security and mobilising support for the country on the European integration path.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and Susanne Baumann, the Secretary of State at the German Federal Foreign Office, on Sunday discussed the dynamics of close partnership in bilateral relations and multidimensional cooperation.
“Successful” cooperation between the Georgian Government and the Munich Security Conference was discussed on Sunday in a meeting between the Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and Benedikt Franke, the Vice Chair and CEO of the annual event.
The Georgian Parliament’s European Union Integration Committee on Monday discussed bills related to protection of biological diversity and maritime code, changes to domestic accounting and auditing systems, and the global convention on recognition of higher education qualifications.