German MFA: Global community will support Georgia’s European path

Germany’s Foreign Minister has expressed his support to Georgia’s sovereignty and promised the international community would also back Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the ongoing crisis in Ukraine would not influence cooperation between the European Union (EU) and Georgia, and noted Georgia’s recent progress in terms of implementing varied reforms while meeting with Georgia’s Foreign Minister in Berlin.

"I would like to express my support to this course and ensure you that you will have support of the international community regarding development of Georgia’s relations with both, EU and NATO,” Steinmeier addressed his Georgian colleague.

He underlined Georgia’s achievements in the process of democratization and the course of reforms the Government had implemented and were still yet to be implemented.

"Preparation works for signing the Association Agreement are moving at a rapid progress [so] there is no question about this and I am sure that everything will be implemented in accordance with the plan. The Association Agreement and DCFTA will be signed very soon”, Steinmeier stated.

He also criticized Russia’s actions towards the annexation of Crimea and said Russia’s actions were "unacceptable” in both political and international law perspectives.

Panjikidze began her official visit to Germany yesterday.

After meeting Steinmeier, ther German leader announced he would visit Georgia later this month. He had planned to visit Georgia on March 3 but this was cancelled due to the escalating situation in Ukraine.

A high level meeting between the two countries is planned for June, when Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili will go to Germany after being invited by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.