President Zurabishvili at 17th Batumi int’l conference: Georgia's European choice is inseparable from our history
Zurabishvili stated that the Batumi International Conference is a message for the associated countries and for its citizens. Photo: President's administration press office.
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Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has welcomed guests of the 17th Batumi International Conference and stated that ‘Georgia's European choice is inseparable from our history’ and the conference is another confirmation of it.
This day is a testimony to the seriousness of our own and common commitments, a testimony to the European path and to our common European future,”Zurabishvili said.
She also noted that the conference is a new beginning which gives hope and entails new commitments.
Four presidents taking part (in the conference) for the first time is a fresh start and that fresh start inspires us to hope. It also means a renewed commitment to our objectives,” stated President Zurabishvili.
Zurabishvili underscored that ‘Georgia's European choice is inseparable from our history.’
It is inseparable from our values and it is enshrined in all our constitutions, since Georgia has regained independence,” Salome Zurabishvili stated.
Our European future is in our hands. We need to focus on our progress, our objectives, our principles and have more ambition, not only in words, but also in deeds. pic.twitter.com/oTFkJU7XUV
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) July 19, 2021
She also underlined the importance of the conference for the Eastern Partnership countries, stating that ‘the Batumi Conference is a strong message for the Eastern Partnership.’
…[it] is a signal that we are not alone in this endeavour, that we are supported, we are encouraged, but it also means that we have to do much more and much faster”, said Zurabishvili.
We are all actively preparing for the next summit. This means that the European Eastern Partnership is alive and moving forward and strongly supported by the European leadership, but also by all the European partners,” President Zurabishvili stated.
President Zurabishvili thanked European Council President Charles Michel for his involvement in Georgia’s internal political crisis caused by the parliamentary elections of October 2020, which was solved by the EU-mediated agreement in April.
The personal involvement, for which I thank him personally, of President Michel in Georgia's internal political processes, but also his most recent visit to our two Caucasian neighbours, also partners in the Eastern Partnership, and the discussion of the important projects in the region, mark the importance for the European Union of a neighbouring region that will be democratic, that will be stable and that will be secure,” Zurabishvili said.
Opening Ceremony of the 17th Batumi International Conference https://t.co/54nqRX4ZWZ
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) July 19, 2021
Zurabishvili stated that the Batumi International Conference is a message for the associated countries and for its citizens.
The Batumi Conference is a message for the associated countries that we can get more if we achieve more...The Batumi Conference is a message for our citizens. The message of hope, a strong incentive – Europe is not only a declared objective,” said Zurabishvili.
The main topic of the conference is the enhanced cooperation between the three associated partners of the European Union - Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova and the traditional transatlantic dialogue and possible scenarios for its future developments.
This year’s Batumi international conference format is limited due to the ongoing pandemic and is represented in a hybrid format.
Panel members of the 17th Batumi International Conference physically attend the event, while the audience is able to virtually participate via the conference's official website.