Georgian PM raises ‘severe humanitarian crisis’ in occupied territories at a meeting with UK minister Morton
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia met with the UK Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Wendy Morton at the administration building of the government of Georgia earlier today. Photo: government of Georgia press office.
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Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has raised the issue of the ‘severe humanitarian crisis’ in Georgia’s Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali and recent illegal conviction of Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze by occupation forces at a meeting with UK Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Wendy Morton.
Morton has paid her first official visit to Georgia earlier today and is scheduled to visit the occupation line in the village of Odzisi, central Georgia later.
Threats coming from Georgia’s Russian occupied regions, regional issues and Georgia’s role in the Black Sea region were discussed at the meeting,” the government of Georgia press office has reported.
Morton and Gakharia have praised the countries' joint efforts against cyber and hybrid threats. Photo: government of Georgia press office.
Gakharia has mentioned the consistent illegal detention’ of Georgian citizens and ‘provocative actions’ by occupation forces, as well as Gakhelade’s illegal conviction and severe humanitarian situation on the ground, the press office said.
Gakharia has thanked Morton for visiting Georgia and stated that the UK and Georgia are able to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze has tweeted:
Brilliant exchange of thoughts with @morton_wendy on strategic partnership between ????????-????????. Strengthening the democracy is at the heart of our commitments and cooperation. I am grateful to her for the visit and friendship. pic.twitter.com/ejzgiblBjo
— Archil Talakvadze (@A_Talakvadze) February 15, 2021
Morton has already met with Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani and Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze.
During the meetings Morton has reiterated the UK’s support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and the country’s NATO and the EU aspirations.
Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom Dominic Raab has condemned Russia’s “unacceptable cyber-attacks against Georgia”. Calling the Russia’s military intelligence service - GRU's - "reckless and brazen campaign" of cyber attacks against Georgia "totally unacceptable", Secretary Raab said the UK will continue to counter its "menacing behaviour" together with allies.
The Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry have signed an agreement of cooperation today which aims to strengthen business and commercial ties between the Georgian and British businesses.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani and UK Minister for European Neighbourhood Wendy Morton have discussed how Georgia and the UK can strengthen their partnership in terms of defence, security, trade and culture.
UK Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Wendy Morton has paid her first official visit to Georgia. Morton has tweeted that ‘our countries are close allies and I’m delighted that our relationship is going from strength to strength.’ She has already met with Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani at the Palace of Official Ceremonies (former presidential palace in Avlabari) in central Tbilisi.
UK Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Wendy Morton has visited the occupation line in central Georgia, near the country’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region.