Dutch Foreign Minister: "Netherlands committed to strengthening EU-Georgia ties"

Bilateral relations between Georgia and the Netherlands are strong and have acquired new dimensions over the years, says the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Bert Koenders sent a letter to his Georgian counterpart Mikheil Janelidze on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Georgia.

"Our bilateral relations are strong, and I am delighted that they have acquired new dimensions over the years, as demonstrated by our fruitful cooperation in support of trade missions in 2015 and 2016, and by our ongoing constructive dialogue, including the political consultations that took place in The Hague on 25 April 2016”, the letter read.

It added that Georgia and the Netherlands work together closely within a number of international organisations, such as the OSCE, and through the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package (SNGP). They are also in the same World Bank and International Monetary Fund constituencies.

"The Netherlands is committed to further strengthening the ties between the European Union and Georgia. We support the current efforts within the Eastern Partnership to develop comprehensive cooperation between the EU and Georgia in areas of mutual interest”, Koenders said.

He noted that in this respect the Eastern Partnership Summit in November this year will be an excellent occasion to take stock and shape plans for the future. He also added that visa-free travel for Georgian citizens will strengthen the ties between the peoples of Georgia and the European Union.

Koenders called the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations "an important milestone” in the relations of Georgia and the Netherlands and wished for a prosperous future for the people of Georgia.

The Netherlands has maintained diplomatic relations with Georgia since the latter’s independence in 1991. The Netherlands is also one of the main foreign investors in Georgia.