Vatican FM in Tbilisi to meet with top Georgian figures

Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze has held a meeting with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the secretary for relations with States of the Holy See (Vatican), in Tbilisi today.

Bakhtadze and Gallagher stated that the visit will boost productive cooperation between Georgia and the Vatican and will further enhance the centuries-old political and cultural ties, the Georgian government press office reported.

Bakhtadze thanked Vatican for “continuously expressing strong solidarity” with Georgia and firmly supporting the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The situation in the Georgian occupied territories has also been discussed.

As was pointed out, Russia must fulfill all of its international obligations, including the ceasefire agreement, and the importance of its constructive engagement in the Geneva International Discussions was also underlined,” the press office said.

Bakhtadze stated that the country’s European integration is the “cornerstone of Georgia's foreign and domestic policies.”

Before his meeting with Bakhtadze, Gallagher met with Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani.

Georgia’s European integration, the country’s conflict issues and successful reforms were key topics of the discussion.

Gallagher evaluated the situation in Georgia’s occupied territories as “alarming” and praised the country’s democratic achievements despite existing challenges.