Georgian PM attends Queen’s Birthday Party at British Embassy

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili was the guest of honour at this year's Queen's Birthday Party at the British Embassy in Tbilisi, to honour Queen Elizabeth II.

UK Ambassador Justin McKenzie Smith first addressed the guests in Georgian and said that the UK’s support for Georgia is "as hard as a rock.”

PM Kvirikashvili began his speech by expressing his condolences regarding the recent fire at Grenfell Tower in North Kensington, London, which killed at least 17 people.

He then spoke of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UK and Georgia, and emphasised that the UK was one of the first countries to recognise Georgia's independence in April 1992.

"The strategic partnership between our countries covers various fields,” he said, adding that Georgian and British soldiers fight side by side in the NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan.

Reception Honoring the Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II @UKinGeorgia@JustinMcKenzieShttps://t.co/5N6W6F71BPpic.twitter.com/Z8ul07ymQn

— Giorgi Kvirikashvili (@KvirikashviliGi) June 16, 2017

He also stressed that for more than 20 years, British Petroleum has been present in Georgia, contributing to the East-West energy corridor, a major geopolitical project for the country.

Kvirikashvili also thanked the UK for financing important educational programs such as Chevening and the John Smith Fellowship.

The special reception honouring the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II was attended by representatives of Georgia's executive and legislative governments, civil society members, diplomatic corps, and representatives from international organisations.