PM ready to negotiate with Russia, but "uncompromising" on territorial integrity
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Georgian Government has a firm position on the issues of Georgia's occupied territories, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said at the annual meeting with journalists today.
At the Press Conference with media representatives, Garibashvili noted that the so-called 'Alliance and Integration' treaty signed between Russia and Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia and the same kind of document to be signed with Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) was a ‘very bad signal and will not have a positive effect on our [Georgia-Russia] bilateral relations.’
He emphasized that the so-called treaty fostered further annexation of Georgia’s territories by Russia and this would be negatively reflected on the region and Georgia-Russia relations.
Despite our constructive policy towards Russia, signing of the so-called deal with Abkhazia was an inadequate step by Russian authorities. Within two years we have done our best to put on normal footing relations with Russia. But we are not going to make any compromises in return of our territories, Garibashvili said.
Prime Minister also announced that the Georgian government was ready to meet Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, however such meeting needed to be planned and prepared well.
We believe that a meeting just to meet is useless. It is still early to speak about the time and the format of the meeting. We are ready, but for fruitful results we need to prepare well, Garibashvili said.
Meanwhile, Head of Georgia’s Government Irakli Garibashvili has once again congratulated Georgia on the ratification of the Association Agreement (AA) with European Union (EU).
Georgia’s Association Agreement (AA) with the EU was approved on December 18 in Strasbourg. Members of European Parliament backed the AA by 490 votes in favour to 76 against, with 57 abstentions.
Prime Minister emphasized that ratification of the ‘landmark deal’ was a huge accomplishment for Georgia and the Georgian people.
The Agreement is historical deal which deepens our relations with Europe. This Agreement is also our Government’s action plan on how to get closer to the EU, Garibashvili said.
In addition, Garibashvili said that in May of the next year, on the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga, the issue of Georgia’s visa-free regime with EU would also be discussed.
The AA deals were signed by Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova and EU representatives in Brussels on June 27.
The EU association deals need to be ratified by all 28 EU member countries and the European Parliament before they can be fully implemented. Georgia’s EU deal has been ratified by five EU countries.
Georgia’s breakaway Tskinvali region (South Ossetia) and Russia are preparing to sign a new integration treaty to "deepen military relations”, Russian media report.
A Kremlin proposed new treaty on ‘Alliance and Integration’ with Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia and Russia will be signed by the end of this year, Abkhazia’s de-facto leader Raul Khajimba announced.
The de facto president of Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia region is unhappy with a number of paragraphs in the Kremlin proposed ‘Alliance and Integration’ treaty, which aims to bring Russia and Abkhazia closer together.
Georgia’s Foreign Ministry believes the revised draft treaty on ‘Alliance and Integration’ between Russia and Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia is a step forward to the annexation of Georgia’s territories.
De-facto Cabinet Ministers of Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region have approved a bilateral treaty between Moscow and Sokhumi that outlined creating joint Russian and Abkhazian military forces.
Georgian authorities condemned the proposed treaty believed such an agreement was a "violation” of the fundamental principles of international law and commitment.
The EU-Georgia Association Agreement was ratified today by members of the European Parliament. See all tweets with hashtags #Georgia and #AA in one Twitter feed.
European Parliament has approved the EU-Georgia Association Agreement (AA). The deal was approved today in Strasbourg.
When it comes into force, the AA will help establish deeper political association and economic integration between the EU and Georgia, including the progressive opening up of their respective markets.
"Today is a historical day for Georgia but also for the European Union”, said Vice President of the European Parliament Ryszard Czarnecki today before officials ratified of the European Union-Georgia Association Agreement (AA).
Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili welcomed Thursday's vote as a strong signal of support from the EU's legislative body for Georgia's European perspective.
European Parliament President Martin Schulz has "warmly welcomed” the ratification of the Association Agreement (AA) between the European Union (EU) and Georgia and said it was the result of the efforts of Georgian authorities within the Eastern Partnership program.
The United States (US) State Department believes the ratification of the European Union (EU)-Georgia Association Agreement (AA) by European Parliament was "another important milestone” in Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration.
The European Parliament is holding debates regarding Georgia today and tomorrow EP members will vote to ratify the EU-Georgia deal.
Children with disabilities and special needs living in Georgia will receive increased financial aid and special services for the next year.
We are planning major changes in some very important fields of our country, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on the annual press-conference today.
Our involvement in the developments of Ukraine is expressed in humanitarian assistance and political support, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said today.
Newly-appointed European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Johannes Hahn hopes Georgia will achieve full visa liberalisation with European Union (EU) countries.