FM Zalkaliani on European Council President’s visit: ‘clear confirmation’ that EU stands with Georgia
In Georgia Michel will meet President Salome Zurabishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili and Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze as well as opposition politicians. He will also visit the occupation line. Photo: twitter.com/eucopresident
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Georgian Foriegn Minister David Zalkaliani has stated that the upcoming visit of the European Council President Charles Michel later today is a ‘clear confirmation’ that the EU stands with Georgia as its ‘most important partner’ in the region.
FM Zalkaliani said Michel’s visit is especially important after the recent trip of the Vice-President of EU Commission Josep Borrell to Moscow.
The EU Council press office reported earlier this week that Michel will be holding meetings in the three Eastern Partnership countries - Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine - between February 28 and March 3.
TODAY @eucopresident @CharlesMichel is in Chișinău ????????
— EU Council Press (@EUCouncilPress) February 28, 2021
A press conference with president @sandumaiamd is scheduled at +/- 14:45 local time
President Michel will then continue his visit to ???????? & ????????#EaP #EasternPartnership
???? Agenda here: https://t.co/pb1c8sCQSF https://t.co/wKcuJPV8RY
In Georgia Michel will meet President Salome Zurabishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili and Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze as well as opposition politicians. He will also visit the occupation line.
David Zalkaliani has meanwhile noted that this is Michel’s first visit to Georgia, which serves as ‘an important message’ in support of the country.
Increasing EU's involvement in the peaceful resolution of the conflict, as well as in ensuring security on the ground, which has an additional importance amid the new realities and circumstances in the region”, FM Zalkaliani said.
The EU and Georgian officials will also discuss the situation in the country amid the pandemic.
The EU has provided significant assistance to Georgia not only to curb Covid-19 but to also deal with its social and economic challenges. EU’s support and solidarity in the equal distribution of vaccines and reception of sufficient amount of vaccines is [also] important”, FM Zalkaliani added.
He further noted that the parties will also speak of the political developments in Georgia and the solution to the current deadlock.
Expressing the willingness of the Georgian government for dialogue with the opposition, FM Zalkaliani said the political processes should move to ‘a constructive framework’.
President of the European Council Charles Michel will visit Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine next week.
During a meeting with the President of European Parliament David Sassoli, Georgian president Salome Zurabishvili asked him to allow the same tuition for Georgian students as EU students across the 27 EU member states.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who is on a two-day visit to Brussels, has met with EU officials earlier today. Tomorrow the Georgian President will meet with the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
President of the European Council Charles Michel has met with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili in Tbilisi earlier today and stated that his visit demonstrates the EU’s commitment to countries in the region, including Georgia. Michel is scheduled to meet with Georgian, Ukrainian and Moldovan leaders during his regional trip.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with the President of the European Council Charles Michel in Tbilisi earlier today. Garibashvili has stated that Michel’s visit ‘is a clear reiteration that our region has a strategic importance for the EU.’ He also said that the visit ‘demonstrates the strong support and partnership of the EU.’
Georgian opposition parties have requested mediation instead of facilitation from the EU to come to an agreement with the ruling Georgian party amid the current political tension.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and opposition politicians have gathered at the presidential palace in Tbilisi at a meeting mediated by European Council President Charles Michel. Michel said following the meeting that the parties had an opportunity to listen to each other. However, he said, ‘we understand that there are many difficult topics that need to be tackled’.