Georgian PM: European Council president’s visit makes clear our region has strategic importance for EU
Georgian PM and President of the European Council Charles Michel have met in Tbilisi earlier today. Photo: government of Georgia press office.
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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.’
Held very meaningful discussions w/ @CharlesMichel. The visit is a clear reiteration that our region has a strategic importance for the ????????. Focused on wide range of issues incl. occupation & global pandemic. ????????'s grateful for the support & truly appreciates the partnership!
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) March 1, 2021
Covid-19 issues and the severe humanitarian situation in Georgia’s Russian-occupied regions were discussed during the meeting, the government of Georgia press office has reported.
Garibashvili and Michel have stated that it is important Georgian political parties to settle issues via constructive dialogue,” said the press office.
???? LIVE NOW - Follow my remarks to the press in Tbilisi with Prime Minister of Georgia @GharibashviliGe https://t.co/HNyvCb6ZLg
— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) March 1, 2021
During his meeting with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili earlier today Michel has expressed the EU's commitment to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called on political parties in the country to step up their efforts to deescalate the current political tension.
He has also promised that the EU will do its best to ensure the timely distribution of coronavirus vaccines to Georgia via the Covax international platform.
After the meetings Michel visited the occupation line in the village of Khurvaleti, central Georgia, between Georgia and its Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region.
A village divided in two by barbed wire.
— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) March 1, 2021
The Administrative Boundary Lines is still a harsh reality for citizens following the 2008 war.
This needs to change.
EU ???????? supports Georgia’s ???????? sovereignty and territorial integrity @EUMMGeorgia pic.twitter.com/pOsiifMXPO
It is very important to tell locals that you are not alone. The EU is doing its best for peace, stability and security,” Michel said.
He stated that Georgia and the EU should further strengthen ties and Georgia should carry out additional reforms that will benefit the country’s population.
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 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.
President of the European Council Charles Michel will visit Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine next week.
Foreign Ministers of Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova, David Zalkaliani, Vadym Prystaiko and Aureliu Ciocoi, have addressed the European Commission over the importance of “relevant financial support” for the Eastern Partnership in the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-2027.
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’.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has stated that the opposition parties have continued ‘destructive actions and tried to block the functioning of the state legislature’ shortly after the meeting with the European Council president Charles Michel yesterday.
European Council President Charles Michel has mandated Christian Danielsson to lead a EU-backed mediation effort in Georgia, in follow up to the relaunch of the political dialogue between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition. The appointment comes shortly after Michel’s visit to Georgia earlier this month.
The EU has urged for a ‘wide consensus’ and a dialogue between the Georgian Dream ruling party and the opposition to solve the current tension ahead of the 6th meeting of the EU-Georgia Association Council in Brussels on March 16, RFE/RL has cited the EU’s draft as saying for the meeting. Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili is scheduled to participate in the meeting. The document also urges Georgian political parties to refrain from sharp rhetoric.
Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili will meet officials of the European Union in Brussels after departing for the official visit to the city on Monday, the President’s Administration said.