Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has stated that the invitation of Georgia to Riga Summit at the meetings of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) is the recognition of Georgia’s progress as an aspirant country by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
The meeting of NAC at the level of foreign affairs ministers will take place on November 30 and December 1 in Riga, Latvia where Georgia is invited along with Ukraine.
Participating in t/#EaP Ministerial, held prior to t/upcoming Summit & aimed at t/discussion of t/major aspects of it. Will share ????????'s expectations & visions on ???????? integration ambitions, EU’s stronger voice in EaP region,stronger physical & economic ties. pic.twitter.com/FZao62U2S5
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) November 15, 2021
Zalkaliani stated that it is ‘another recognition of tangible progress of Georgia and Ukraine on the path of NATO integration.’
Prior to the Riga Summit, the meeting of the Associated Trio was held today during the Eastern Partnership Ministerial in Brussels.
Zalkaliani, along with his Ukrainian and Moldovan counterparts, Dmytro Kuleba and Nicu Popescu, has discussed the future plans of the Associated Trio and the ways of strengthening ties with the EU.
Today I held an exchange of views with @DZalkaliani to take forward the implementation of Economic&Investment Plan for #EasternPartnership and EU Georgia bilateral relations. Also discussed situation in the region. pic.twitter.com/q5rjCnv5La
— Oliver Varhelyi (@OliverVarhelyi) November 15, 2021
The full integration into the EU united market was also on the agenda of the meeting.
The conversation was focused on the further development of the dialogue between the EU and the Associated Trio, in priority fields such as transport, energy, digital transformation, green economy, strategic communications and etc.,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry reports.
Zalkaliani stated that Georgia expects the EU positions on security in the region to be clearly stated in the framework of the Eastern Partnership Summit.
Delighted to take part in t/#A3 ???????????????????????? mtg, held within t/#EaP Ministerial. Had a chance to cover a series of important themes, focusing on t/goals of t/#A3, inc in t/Summit context. It is important that #A3 priorities are taken to account by t/Summit @nicupopescu @DmytroKuleba pic.twitter.com/eM41rJkxhb
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) November 15, 2021
Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova are the three associated partners of the EU which launched the format of the Associated Trio earlier this year.
The main purpose of the Associated Trio is to strengthen the EU's Eastern Partnership initiative and ensure joint efforts for European integration.