Munich Security Conference ends positively for PM Garibashvili
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"Fruitful” was how Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili described his meetings with world leaders at the Munich Security Conference.
The Prime Minister and the Georgian delegation ended the three-day conference on a positive note.
Garibashvili particularly mentioned his meeting with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was successful, as he was interested in Georgia’s innovative approach towards normalizing relations with Russia.
The PM said the issues surrounding Georgia’s occupied territories continued to be the main problem between Russia and Georgia.He said the Government’s new approach of peaceful direct dialogue between the two countries was a positive step to resolving these issues and this initiative was supported by the EU and USA.
"The former government’s radical approach towards Russia was absolutely damaging. European leaders spoke about this approach with regret. We have their full support in the new policy towards Russia,” PM Garibashvili stated.
"Russia have also started to make constructive steps towards us. Accordingly, we have to return the favour in an acceptable way. Of course, we will always stand by our values towards the main issue, which is our occupied territories and this is also the main issue we have to agree with Russia on. The EU and USA have a very important role in our negotiations and I think that we should advance in this sense,” Garibashvili said.
Today, on the last day of the security event, the Prime Minister met Christoph Heusgen, Germany’s Federal Chancellor's Advisor on Foreign and Security Policy.
Garibashvili said Germany’s role in helping resolve Georgia-Russia issues was "very important” and in general regards to EU engagement as well.
Looking ahead, Garibashvili is set to travel to the Belgium city of Brussels to meet with NATO and EU leaders.
The PM is facing a two-day busy schedule with meetings planned with the President of the European Council Jose Manuel Barroso, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.