Georgian FM presents 10-year action plan 'Foreign policy focused on Western values, country's Interests.’ What does it include?
Zalkaliani stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral and multilateral political and economic relations with three neighbouring countries Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia's press office.
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Georgian Foreign Affairs Minister David Zalkaliani has presented his ministry’s 10-year action plan and 10 main goals of his ministry which mostly focus on EU membership and deoccupation.
Zalkaliani started the presentation of the plan with a discussion of the 13th anniversary of the 2008 Russian-Georgian war which took place yesterday and stated that ‘13 years ago Russia attempted to forcibly change the state borders of a sovereign country.’
It is completely unacceptable and unthinkable that in the 21st century, the occupying power is building the Berlin Wall in the middle of Georgia, in the eastern part of Europe,” Vice PM Zalkaliani noted.
"It is unacceptable & inconceivable that in t/21st century t/occupying force is building new Berlin Walls in t/midst of ????????, to t/east of Europe" - began t/10-year Action Plan presentation by focusing on 13Y anniversary of #Aug2008War. De-occupation of ????????'s terrs is paramount. pic.twitter.com/Vmg53jykDL
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) August 9, 2021
‘Foreign policy focused on Western values and the country’s interests. 10 years vision, 10 goals’ include:
The process of deoccupation must start by 2030
Georgian Foreign Minister Zalkaliani noted that the process of Georgia’s deoccupation must begin by 2030 and ‘its course should be irreversible,’ he stated.
Tangible progress needs to be made to strengthen Georgia's sovereignty and restore its territorial integrity,” Zalkaliani said.
David Zalkaliani also underscored that a commission that was set up in late June to develop a deoccupation strategy will represent a ‘common national process.’
EU membership application for 2024
The Georgian ministry of foreign affairs aims to receive candidate status by 2030 and to start negotiations with the EU to transpose its legislation onto Georgian legislation.
Everyone is well aware of the ambitious goal that the (Georgian) government has announced - to apply for EU membership in 2024. But that is not the end of our main goal, then by 2030, we should get the status of a candidate for membership,” Zalkaliani stated.
NATO membership
The Government of Georgia intends to ensure Georgia's eventual membership in NATO according to the plan developed with the Alliance.
"In 10 years’ time we intend to implement the plan agreed with the Alliance to achieve Georgia’s ultimate membership in @NATO, conclude membership talks and become a member of NATO" - outlined our objectives at the presentation of the 10-year Action Plan of ???????? MFA. pic.twitter.com/M3g0XHAlfy
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) August 9, 2021
Strategic high-level bilateral relations with friendly states
Zalkaliani noted that high-level bilateral relations with friendly states should be adopted in strategic formats which will ‘facilitate lobbying of Georgia for European and Euro-Atlantic membership by Western partners,” Vice PM Zalkaliani stated.
Georgia's goal is to deepen strategic relations with the following countries:
- Germany
- France
- The United Kingdom
- Nordic, Benelux countries
- Switzerland
- Southern and Eastern European states
- Baltic States
- Visegrad countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia)
- Ukraine
A comprehensive US-Georgia alliance must be established within 10 years
Georgia aims to establish a comprehensive alliance between the United States and Georgia within 10 years based on a ‘strong strategic partnership’ which will incorporate ‘enhanced military-political and trade-economic components,’ Zalkaliani stated.
David Zalkaliani also noted that cooperation with the US on global challenges will be strengthened, Including international health and hybrid warfare, as well as climate change and counterterrorism, cybersecurity and the introduction of 5G technologies.
We are strongly committed to establish a comprehensive alliance & foster a political dialogue, coordination and cooperation in different areas with our main strategic partner - ????????. Emphasized this topic at the presentation of the 10-year Action Plan of the @MFAgovge pic.twitter.com/xErmgi5jOv
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) August 9, 2021
The South Caucasus must establish as a space for cooperation
As part of the Georgian foreign ministry’s 10-year action plan, the South Caucasus must establish as a space for ‘cooperation, good neighbourliness and dynamic development’ via pursuing a partnership-oriented and mutually beneficial regional policy.
Zalkaliani stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral and multilateral political and economic relations with three neighbouring countries Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey.
The political relations’ normalization with Russia
Vice PM David Zalkaliani also noted that ‘it is necessary to create the possibility of political relations’ normalization with Russia’ by adhering deoccupation, the territorial integrity of Georgia and conflict resolution.
Georgia as a leader in the region with a connective function between East and West
The Georgian government also aims to launch the EU connectivity dialogue and as a result to become a leader in the region with the connective function between East and West within the upcoming 10 years.
At the presentation of the 10-year Action Plan of the ???????? MFA, focused on our country's goal to become a regional leader in the next 10 years. It is vital to establish balanced neighbourhood policy based on partnership and mutual benefit. pic.twitter.com/Q0UQ3KZBS9
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) August 9, 2021
Foreign investments' increase through active economic diplomacy
Foreign Minister Zalkaliani also underlined the country’s aspiration to increase foreign investments’ opportunities and to implement national, regional and international transport, energy and investment projects.
He also noted that up to 1.5 billion dollars in foreign direct investment has been attracted to the country's economy from 2012 till today with the involvement of the Georgian embassies.
Strong Georgian diaspora by 2030
The Georgian Foreign Ministry’s other goal is to have a strong diaspora by 2030 with strong Georgian cultural-educational centres abroad.
Vice PM Zalkaliani stated that effective communication between the state and compatriots living abroad will be ensured for the upcoming 10 years to achieve the goal of creating a strong Georgian diaspora.
Several various Georgian ministries presented their 10-year development and action plans in the last few weeks.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said that Georgia must gain candidate status for EU membership by 2030 at a presentation of his ministry’s 10-year action plan earlier today. Zalkaliani noted that the goal is to apply for EU membership in 2024 and to get the status of a candidate for membership by 2030.
Politicians, ambassadors and ministries of Georgia's international partner states have marked the 13th anniversary of the 2008 war with messages condemning Russia's ongoing occupation of two of Georgia's regions and reiterating support for the territorial integrity of the country.
Georgian Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili has presented his ministry’s 10-year development strategy which aims to tackle poverty and unemployment and increase overall economic well-being in Georgia. "High economic growth should be the main focus of our economic vision for the next 10 years,” Khutsishvili stated. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said before the presentation of the development plan that Georgia has a high rate of economic growth, noting that in January-June of 2021 it amounted to 12.8 per cent.
Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri has presented a 10-year development plan which focuses on the creation of fast and remotely available services for the Georgian citizens, growth of police officers’ remuneration and infrastructure reforms.
What does it include?
Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava has presented a 10-year economic development strategy which covers 12 major areas, ranging from small business empowerment, investment attraction, to specific development policies and quantitative indicators in each key area that the country should achieve by 2025 and 2030.
Officials and professionals in Tbilisi discussed the importance of diaspora in promoting Georgian culture abroad in a forum dedicated to cultural diplomacy, digital diaspora and more on Saturday, the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.