Georgian, Ukrainian presidents meet in Kyiv: we've common goals, challenges, need to boost ties
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili invited Ukrainian president to Georgia on July 18. Photo: Volodymyr Zelensky’s press office.
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Georgian and Ukrainian presidents have met in Kyiv earlier today and stated that the two countries have common, Euro-Atlantic goals, face common challenges from Russia and need to further strengthen economic and political ties.
Both Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that their countries should work together for the Black sea security, with the support of the international community.
My third time meeting with @ZelenskyyUa, my first official visit to Ukraine. A joint vision toward European and Euro-Atlantic integration brings Ukraine and Georgia together as two close friends and partners. pic.twitter.com/D0gfmNOJV1
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) June 23, 2021
Zurabishvili said that Georgia and Ukraine have taken major steps for the integration into NATO and the EU and that the recent NATO summit in Brussels has confirmed that the alliance’s door remains open for both countries.
She said that now the cooperation in cyber and Black Sea security with NATO should be strengthened, as well as other directions outlined in the NATO summit communique.
Thank you for the warm welcome, @ZelenskyyUa pic.twitter.com/RiDIpH5Iq9
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) June 23, 2021
Zurabishvili said Euro-Atlantic integration ‘has no alternative’ for Georgia and Ukraine.
She said that Georgia aims to resolve conflicts with Russia only in a peaceful manner, adding that Russia continues its destructive actions both in Georgia and Ukraine.
Zurabishvili once again urged the international community to help the Georgian government ensure the release of illegally convicted Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze by occupation forces in the de facto Tskhinvali region.
Discussed Euro-Atlantic aspirations of ???????? and ???????? with @Zourabichvili_S. Our countries share a common goal of acquiring full membership in the EU and NATO. Energy security was also discussed. We agreed to make it a priority area of further cooperation. pic.twitter.com/vBFhKC6g0x
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 23, 2021
Zelensky said that easing border regulations for Georgian and Ukrainian citizens and the return of Georgian and Ukrainian prisoners to their countries have also been discussed at the meeting.
He said that the countries should further strengthen people-to-people relations and cooperation in the tourism field, ‘especially during the pandemic.’
Zelensky said that Georgia and Ukraine should take steps for energy security.
.@Zourabichvili_S welcome to ???????? The common task of ???????? & ???????? is to reinforce friendly ties & strategic partnership with real content and specific projects. Our countries share common challenges in defending sovereignty, security in the Black Sea Region and Euro-Atlantic aspirations pic.twitter.com/JObZgUz5XC
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 23, 2021
He stated that Georgia is Ukraine’s important trading partner in the South Caucasus and that he expects the increase in trade turnover in the year, despite the pandemic.
The restoration of meetings of Georgian-Ukrainian inter-governmental commission will be important for further strengthening of economic cooperation. We are trying to ensure the conduct of the 10th meeting of the commission in September of the year,” Zelensky said.
He stated that a political dialogue between Tbilisi and Kyiv is upgrading and that the two countries need concrete projects and formats to further boost cooperation.
Opposition Girchi - More Freedom party organized a rally in solidarity with Ukraine amidst concerns caused by the recent movement of Russian troops’ near the eastern Donbass region.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has spoken about the importance of unity and expressed support for Ukraine amid the movements of Russian troops in its border in her annual speech in the state legislature earlier today.
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 President Salome Zurabishvili says that she is ready to visit Ukraine ‘as soon as possible’ for the ‘best future interests’ of both countries, noting that the statements made by former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who currently chairs the executive committee of the Ukrainian National Reforms Council, are ‘affecting bilateral relations’.
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.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has stated during his official visit to Ukraine that Russian actions in both Ukraine and Georgia ‘are alarming and are the issue of an international concern.’ After the meeting with Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal earlier today, Garibashvili said that at a Crimea platform forum tomorrow, which was initiated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the current situation in Ukrainian and Georgian occupied territories will be ‘once again evaluated’.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Dmytro Razumkov in Kyiv earlier today, where both officials noted that a ‘political dialogue between Georgia and Ukraine is at an all-time-high.’