Dutch FM says Georgia is crucial for regional peace, security
Georgian (L) and Dutch foreign ministers have met in Tbilisi earlier today. Photo: Foreign Ministry press office.
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Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Stef Blok, who came to Tbilisi late yesterday, says that Georgia is a ‘very important country’ for security and stability in the region and ‘enjoys values like the rule of law, human rights and democratization.’
Georgia is a role model for democratic reforms,” Blok said, expressing hope that the ‘positive trend’ will be maintained.
He said that the Netherlands will continue to support democratic reforms in Georgia.
We are waiting for Georgia to hold free and fair elections [this year],” urging for a political dialogue [with the opposition] ‘which will make Georgia’s democracy stronger.’
Stef Blok says that the Netherlands is waiting from the Georgian government to conduct free and fair parliamentary elections this year. Photo: Foreign Ministry press office.
Blok said that the Netherlands “is very much concerned” by Russia’s actions in Georgia and the situation in terms of human rights in Georgia’s Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali.
I want to reaffirm the Netherlands' firm support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Blok said.
Later today Blok visited the occupation line in the village of Odzisi, central Georgia.
Delighted to have welcomed @ministerBlok and a delegation from the @DutchMFA in Odzisi close to the ABL with South Ossetia.. Updated them on current developments at ABL and Mission's role in monitoring and diminishing tensions. I thanked????????for the important support to @EUMMGeorgia pic.twitter.com/znEvKTr2hA
— EUMM Head of Mission (@EUMMGeorgia_HoM) January 22, 2020
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has stated that his meeting with Blok was mainly focused on occupation issues, Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and economic prospects.
He said that Georgia has “strong economic ties” with the Netherlands and the country is the 12th trade partner for Georgia and ‘one of the leading investors.’
Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Stef Blok will come to Georgia today which will be the first visit of a foreign minister from the country to Georgia in the past ten years, the Georgian Foreign Ministry has reported earlier today. The ministry said that the first official visit of Blok to Georgia “will further strengthen bilateral cooperation between Georgia and the Netherlands.”
The Dutch PM Mark Rutte has stated that “thanks to non-stop work for many years” Georgia has become a role model for the countries in the region and a main partner of the EU and the Netherlands. Rutte made the statement after his meeting with Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia in the Netherlands which is a historic visit as it is the first time the Georgian PM holds, official, bilateral meetings in the country.
Five Georgian companies are showcasing their produce today at a prestigious event in Wateringen, the Netherlands.
Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikahsvili has today met Ambassador of the Netherlands to Georgia Johannes Douma to discuss Georgia’s visa liberalisation prospects with the European Union (EU).