Georgian NATO, EU integration, de-occupation strategy in focus of Ambassadorial Conference 2021
The main challenges of 2021, including the issue of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and the Russian Federation’s aggressive policy will also be discussed at the conference this year. Photo: the Georgian Foreign Ministry.
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The integration of Georgia with the European Union and NATO, completion of the country’s de-occupation strategy and regional policy are at the top of the agenda of the annual Ambassadorial Conference 2021 which is taking place online between December 22-24.
The event, titled Georgia's Foreign Policy Against the Background of New Geopolitical Challenges, was opened yesterday by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani and President Salome Zurabishvili.
Garibashvili thanked Zalkaliani and the diplomatic corps for their ‘fruitful work,’ stressing the importance of Georgian diplomats’ role in the pandemic which ‘has exposed the challenges of global international relations in terms of security, economy or health.’
A massive thank you to our diplomats for selfless work & for success, achieved by ???????? in 2021. At the 3-day Ambassadors' Conference, we'll discuss major priorities of ????????'s foreign policy for 2022. Grateful to President @Zourabichvili_S &PM @GharibashviliGe for their participation. pic.twitter.com/RdWqy5rC9R
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) December 22, 2021
He noted that Georgia can play an important role in achieving peace and stability in the region through the Peaceful Neighbourhood Initiative which he announced at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September.
I have had numerous visits to Turkey, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Armenia. Of course, it is important to deepen our relations with our strategic partners, with the United States, EU member states and other countries that are important partners of our country,” said Garibashvili.
Garibashvili also touched upon the issue of the occupation, saying that ‘the main dream and goal for us is the restoration of the territorial integrity of our country and de-occupation.’
FM Zalkaliani in turn stated that in 2021 Georgia achieved ‘tangible results’ internationally, adding that ‘the international community’s unwavering support for our country is particularly noteworthy.’
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He also stressed the importance of the PM’s participation in the Eastern Partnership summit on December 15, underscoring Garibashvili’s ‘efforts to ensure that Georgia's expectations are maximally reflected in the final declaration.’
President Zurabishvili also addressed the participants of the event and stated that ‘diplomacy for a small country is existential.’
"Because we must seek deescalation and long-term stability, I started the process of #nationalaccord. In this, I need the full support of our diplomatic service because it should be supported by our partners and our diaspora"
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) December 22, 2021
My speech at the 2021 Ambassadorial Conference pic.twitter.com/b5NawMAtqk
You [Georgian diplomats] carry in your hands the reputation of the country and trust in it. As for all of us, you ought to do much more and you should never think that what you are doing is enough or be satisfied with it. You should always want more and only then we will achieve more,” Zurabishvili said.
The main challenges of 2021, including the issue of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and the Russian Federation’s aggressive policy will also be discussed at the conference this year.