Georgian PM in Davos: ‘deepening strategic ties with US, EU crucial for Georgia to survive’
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated in Davos that membership in the EU and NATO will provide security guarantees for Georgia. Photo: government of Georgia press office.
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Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia says that forging deeper strategic ties with the US and the EU “is the only way” for Georgia to “survive in a region full of challenges.”
Speaking at the New Ambitions for Europe Panel in Davos during the World Economic Forum earlier today, Gakharia said that the region Georgia belongs to is “extremely challenging,” and Georgia has to cope with “daily challenges” caused by the occupation of 20 per cent of its territories by Russia.
Gakharia said that the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration is the “firm choice” of the Georgian people, with more than 70 per cent of the country’s population supporting this.
We [the Georgian government] will do our best for Georgia to always be on the agenda when you, our allies and partners, speak about the future of Europe,” Gakharia said.
PM Gakharia raised Georgia's role for Black Sea security. Photo: government of Georgia press office.
He stated that Georgia has made “big achievements” over the past five years.
We have signed the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area deal with the EU and a visa free agreement," Gakharia said.
However, Gakharia stated that Georgia faces “security and economic challenges.”
Resolving economic issues is among our top priorities. Georgia is a gate between Europe and Asia and when we speak about economic policy we see Georgia as a platform of trade turnover between the world's top economies,” Gakharia said, adding that Georgia “fully realises that making investments in economy equals investing in security.’
Gakharia said that Georgia faces the problems caused by occupation on a daily basis. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Gakharia said that there are security problems in the Black Sea area, which ‘has become a priority for NATO...[and] a new segment for Georgia [referring to the NATO Black Sea Security intentions].
Georgia can play a very important role for Black Sea security,” Gakharia said.
Gakharia stated that Georgia needs closer economic cooperation with the EU, as “we have a strong legal framework [the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Deal] but have no land borders with the EU which is a problem and the challenge should be overcome.”
Gakharia said that Georgia’s increased role in Black Sea security is likely to “settle the connection problem.”
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has called for Georgia’s accession into NATO during the Davos World Economic Forum in Switzerland, stating that ‘Georgia needs us and we need an ally like Georgia. So we need enlargement,’ Reuters reports. Cavusoglu stated during the panel discussion that “I don’t understand why we have not invited Georgia or why we haven’t activated the action plan for Georgia to become a member.”
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia met with the CEO of ENEL – an Italian, multinational energy company – Francesco Starace yesterday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum which is taking place in Davos, Switzerland.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia is in Davos, Switzerland, participating in the World Economic Forum taking place from January 21-24.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia is in Davos, Switzerland, participating in the World Economic Forum taking place from January 21-24.
Citigroup, an American multinational investment bank and financial services corporation headquartered in New York City, has expressed interest in investing in the Georgian financial market, as Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia met with the group’s Vice Chairman Jay Collins on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier today.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said in response to the recent letter from the four United States Congressmen that Georgian officials are “always ready” to talk to “strategic partners” of the country. Gakharia, who is attending the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21-24, responded to the question from a Georgian journalist.
United States Congressman Brian Babin, who is a member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, has sent a letter to Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia over “delayed reforms and a declining climate for US investment” in the country.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia will meet with the US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper later today on the sidelines of the 56th Munich Security Conference. Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani says that the meeting is of high importance. “The meeting carries high importance as the relationship with our strategic partner is a top priority for the Georgian government. The US-Georgia exemplary cooperation in the defence field should strengthen further,” Zalkaliani said.
US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper has praised Georgia’s contribution to international peace and security and expressed his support for Georgia’s territorial integrity while meeting with Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia during the 56th Munich Security Conference earlier today. “Successful bilateral cooperation was underlined at the meeting, along with a significant support of the US in the implementation of reforms in the defense and security fields,” the government of Georgia press office reports.