Georgian, Dutch foreign ministers discuss Georgia's European, Euro-Atlantic integration

The two officials also reviewed the security environment in the South Caucasus region and the impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine, focusing on the challenges facing Georgia. The situation in the Russian-occupied regions of the country were also noted.Photo: Foreign Ministry press office.

Agenda.ge, 09 Jun 2022 - 19:08, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgia’s Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili discussed the country’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration with Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra on Thursday as part of his visit to the Netherlands.

Hoekstra welcomed the visit of the Georgian FM to the Hague, with Darchiashvili expressing his gratitude for the “warm and friendly hospitality” and for the support of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Foreign Ministry said.

Georgia's progress in implementation of the reforms defined by the Association Agreement - signed by the country with the European Union in 2014 - and the country’s integration process to the EU were also in focus of a meeting.

The ministers noted the ties established between Georgia and the Netherlands, as well as their “increased interaction” on various international issues. 

The Georgian Foreign Minister thanked the Dutch side for co-sponsoring a resolution on the status of internally displaced persons and refugees from Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions,  adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.

Hoekstra reaffirmed his support for Georgia's European path, and expressed readiness to continue to assist the country on the matter.

The two officials also reviewed the security environment in the South Caucasus region and the impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine, focusing on the challenges facing Georgia. The situation in the Russian-occupied regions of the country were also noted. 

Hoekstra praised Georgia's “significant support” for Ukraine in the backdrop of the Russian invasion, and thanked his counterpart for standing by the international community in this process.

The sides also noted the “positive trend” in trade and economic relations between their states, and expressed readiness to identify new opportunities, with Darchiashvili inviting his colleague to pay an official visit to Georgia.