Estonia: Strong supporter of Georgia’s European aspirations

Estonia is ready to play the role of Georgia’s strong supporter as it progresses towards Euro-Atlantic integration.

This was the main message from Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who is visiting Tbilisi and meeting Georgian high-officials here.

After meeting President Giorgi Margvelashvili yesterday, today Ilves met Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Defence Minister Tinatin Khidasheli and other members of the Georgian Government.

"We consider the President’s visit as a clear sign of the special relationship between our countries,” Garibashvili said afterwards and thanked President Ilves for his and his country’s "firm support” of Georgia’s European aspirations and for recognising Georgia’s territorial integrity.

Defence Minister Khidasheli said the two countries were planning to deepen their security cooperation and official visits were scheduled from both sides in the future.

Meanwhile electronic governance was named as the main field of collaboration between Georgia and Estonia.

"Georgia’s Government welcomes professional help from the Estonian side in this regard,” Garibashvili said.

Click here to read how President Ilves assessed the Riga Summit outcomes for Georgia.

Today was the final day of his official visit, which saw President Ilves come to Georgia for the fifth time during his two presidential terms.

Meanwhile President Ilves was one of a group of European leaders who came to Georgia and supported the country after the Russia-Georgia war in August 2008.