Foreign Minister hails 2018 as busy and successful

Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has hailed 2018 as “very busy, but interesting and successful.”

It was a very busy year, and Georgia tried its utmost to stand its ground in an unstable political environment”, Zalkaliani said.

I believe that we have a serious outcome. However, much is still needed to be done to further strengthen political achievements and portray Georgia positively on the agenda of the international community,” Zalkaliani stated.

Zalkaliani said that this year, during the annual Ambassadors’ Conference, the Georgian Foreign Policy Strategy document was discussed.

The final version of the document will be available to the public soon. The document carries special importance. The group which worked on the document was formed based on the decree of the Georgian government. We have had active consultations with the civil sector during the drafting of the document,” Zalkaliani said.

Zalkaliani has stated that Georgia has raised Georgian occupation issues during all relevant domestic and foreign meetings.

Georgian Foreign Minister said that the issue of Georgian occupied regions has been raised at all relevant local and foreign meetings or events. Photo: EUMM press office. 

He said that 2018 was “very successful” for Georgia-EU and Georgia-NATO relations as well.

Zalkaliani mentioned the new format of cooperation with the EU and a special meeting of NATO officials with Georgian and Ukrainian representations.

Next year we are waiting for NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Georgia-NATO will conduct large-scale military drills,” Zalkaliani said.

Georgia and the EU have signed two financial agreements, which provided up to 97 million euros in support for Georgia.

The EU has also allocated an unprecedented 134 million euros for the implementation of the Georgia-EU 2018 action plan,” the annual report of the Georgian Foreign Ministry says.

Zalkaliani said that Georgia-US relations have upgraded to a new level, mentioning the most recent supportive act of Congress, and active steps have been taken for the further enhancement of relations with the neighboring, Middle East, Asian and Pacific, Latino American and Caribbean countries.

He said that the number of Georgians in the elective bodies of international organisations has also increased.

Speaking about future intentions Zalkaliani has stated that:

• Georgia will take active steps for legal employment of Georgian citizens abroad. Such a deal has already been signed with France and negotiations are in progress with Germany and Poland.
• Tbilisi Peace Forum will be established, which will be focused on world and regional issues.
• Special envoys for economic  issues will be appointed, who will have special financial and diplomatic skills. Black Sea, Gulf, Asian countries and the United States will the areas of priority for the envoys.
• San Francisco General Consulate will open with an economic component.
• Georgian Foreign Ministry will support local companies participate in international procurements.
• A special fund will be established for the Georgian diaspora which will enable them get involved in the initiatives offered by the Georgian government.