Georgian, Ukrainian PMs meet in Tbilisi, focus on EU, NATO integration plans
Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal arrived in Georgia on his first official visit earlier today. Photo: Denys Shmyhal’s Twitter page.
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Georgian and Ukrainian PMs Irakli Garibashvili and Denys Shmyhal have met in Tbilisi earlier today to discuss their countries’ moves to integrate into the EU and NATO in addition to bilateral and multilateral relations.
One of the key topics of our meeting was EU integration,” Garibashvili said during the joint press conference.
He stated that both Georgia and Ukraine are firm in their decisions and ‘very motivated’ to integrate into the EU and NATO and that the governments of both countries ‘have taken a number of steps’ to achieve the goals, including the recent creation of an Associated Trio with Moldova.
Great meeting with @Denys_Shmyhal! Discussed ????????-???????? cooperation & perspectives of deepening our partnership. ????????&???????? remain close friends & allies on common European & Euro-Atlantic path. pic.twitter.com/ZGlc8cEopp
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) June 3, 2021
Garibashvili stated that Georgia and Ukraine face common challenges and enjoy ‘warm and friendly’ relations.
Ukraine is among the top ten trade partners of Georgia. Our goal is to double the trade turnover between our countries,” Garibashvili said.
He stated that Georgia and Ukraine have resources to further strengthen ties in tourism, logistics, and the transport fields and for various joint projects.
Had a productive dialogue with the ???????? PM @GharibashviliGe in #Tbilisi. #Ukraine and #Georgia are strategic partners and allies. We have common goals and objectives. Assured that our meeting today will advance their achievement. pic.twitter.com/dJuX4f9uo8
— Denys Shmyhal (@Denys_Shmyhal) June 3, 2021
Garibashvili reaffirmed Georgia’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and condemned Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories.
Shmyhal thanked Georgia for its ‘continued support’ and stated that both Georgia and Ukraine face the Russian aggression which 'further encourages our countries to stand together.’
Мав плідний діалог із ПМ ???????? @GharibashviliGe у #Тбілісі. #Україна і #Грузія — стратегічні партнери та союзники. У нас спільні цілі та завдання. Переконаний, наша сьогоднішня зустріч сприятиме їх досягненню. pic.twitter.com/1YRK9VOwAW
— Denys Shmyhal (@Denys_Shmyhal) June 3, 2021
He stated that the coronavirus pandemic has affected the trade turnover between the two countries. However, figures have been improving over the past several months.
Shmyhal said that the close partnership and cooperation between Georgia and Ukraine are not ‘just words. The partnership is confirmed by figures and facts.’
Georgian Ambassador to Ukraine Teimuraz Sharashenidze, who was recalled to Tbilisi last year after former President Mikheil Saakashvili became chair of the executive committee of the Ukrainian National Reforms Council, will return to Kyiv.
Georgia has expressed concerns over Russian troop movements near the eastern Donbass region where Ukrainian troops are in conflict with Russian-backed forces.Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani held a phone conversation with his Ukrainian colleague amid Ukraine's standoff over a Russian troop buildup near its border.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Ukrainian Defence Minister Andrii Taran have discussed the strategic cooperation between Georgia and Ukraine earlier today in Tbilisi.
Another Georgian fighter has been killed while fighting alongside Ukrainian soldiers to defend Ukraine's land.
The European parliament has called on the EU and NATO to maintain a close alliance with its aspirant countries, namely Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine and Georgia for the security and stability of the region. The statement also calls on transatlantic partners, such as Georgia, to maintain regular contact in the areas of arms control, military transparency and any other issues related to security.
During an official visit between August 21 and 23 Garibashvili will hold meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, PM Denys Shmyhal and Parliament Speaker Dmytro Razumkov.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has already arrived in Ukraine, where he was welcomed by his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal, ambassadors of both countries and Ukrainian officials in Lviv. Garibashvili and Shmyhal have tweeted that they are waiting for a ‘productive discussion’ on defence, security, trade, economic and other issues.