Georgian and German foreign ministers on Tuesday signed a “comprehensive deal” on cooperation in the fields of culture, education and science, with the agreement also offering opportunities to strengthen people-to-people contacts, the Georgian Foreign Ministry said.
The document signed by Georgian FM Ilia Darchiashvili and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock in Berlin “emphasises the historical contribution that the Georgian and German nations have made to the global cultural heritage”, said the Foreign Ministry.
In further comments, the state body said the document highlighted the need to exchange information and raise awareness about the “rich culture'' of the two countries, including by delivering cultural projects and exchange programmes, as well as through facilitation of cooperation in art and science and by training professionals.
Honored, on behalf of the gov't of ????????, to sign with my colleague @ABaerbock an Agreement on Cultural Cooperation between ????????&????????. It is to provide prospects for cultural exchanges & opportunities for sharing educational experiences. The document will bring our peoples even closer. pic.twitter.com/MDdXObnMbb
— Ilia Darchiashvili (@iliadarch) September 13, 2022
For promoting educational ties, the agreement offers exchange programmes, development of contacts between schools, higher and vocational education institutions, establishment of “stronger links” between academic and expert communities of the two countries and creation of additional opportunities for learning the two languages. It also envisions allowing Georgian international school graduates to continue studies at German higher education institutions.
The agreement also ensures support for the Georgian diaspora living in Germany by offering them greater opportunities to preserve their language, culture, traditions and identity”, said the Ministry.
The meeting of the FMs highlighted the importance of Germany-Georgia cooperation on the backdrop of the current geopolitical situation in the Black Sea region and the world, and noted the “special importance” of the support of Germany, as a leading EU and NATO member, for Georgia.