Germany shares Georgia’s policy for regional peace

Georgia’s efforts to assimilate with the European Union (EU), regional and global security and Georgia’s business environment were on the agenda at a special meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Georgia and Germany.

In Berlin yesterday Georgia’s Foreign Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili met his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The meeting was Kvirikashvili’s final engagement on his two-day official trip to Germany.

In a face-to-face context, Kvirikashvili and Steinmeier discussed a broad spectrum of bilateral and multilateral cooperation and outlined plans for further development of relations in existing and new areas.

Talks focused on Georgia’s progress of integrating with Euro-Atlantic structures and the importance of Germany’s support in this regard. 

The signing of an Association Agreement (AA) between Georgia and the European Union marks the beginning of a very important road. It is a step which brings Georgia closer to Europe and Germany supports this process of rapprochement,” Steinmeier said. 

Steinmeier said Germany supports Georgia's European integration. Photo by Foreign Ministry of Georgia. 

The Ministers highlighted Georgia’s already-taken action towards European integration, including towards the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan, which would facilitate ease of travel for Georgian citizens to EU nations. 

Visa liberalisation is of paramount importance, including in terms of making full use of the [Deep and Comprehensive] Free Trade Area with the European Union. It offers small business an indispensable instrument for gaining access to the European market and finding partners there,” said Kvirikashvili. 

Germany’s support in this process is highly important. Georgia successfully completed the technical part of the Action Plan and we now rely on our European partners for their positive report and political decisions,” Kvirikashvili stated. 

On another note the Ministers also discussed the security situation in the region as well as the recent developments in Ukraine and the Middle East. 

I note with satisfaction that my German colleague fully shares the Georgian Government’s policy aimed at building confidence with our Abkhazian and Ossetian citizens and our constructive approach towards achieving stability and security in the region,” Kvirikahsvili said. 

Georgia’s developing economy was also mentioned by the officials. Kvirikahsvili spoke about the significance of more German investments to Georgia and noted this would increase awareness and attractiveness of Georgia and the region with the German business community.