Georgian PM, German chancellor discuss close partnership between countries, security environment in region, Georgia’s European perspective
Garibashvili said the European perspective and the EU integration process have been a “special burden” of “particular importance” for Georgia and the country felt “great responsibility”, and focused on the implementation of the EU recommendations, adding that the government has been carrying out “inclusive process” along with the parliament and the opposition parties and civil society. Photo: Government Administration.
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The close partnership between Georgia and Germany, the security environment in the Black Sea region and the European perspective granted to Georgia by the European Council, as well as the trade and economic relations between the two countries were discussed on Wednesday in a meeting between Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili and German chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.
Photo: Government Administration
After the official welcoming ceremony, the officials expressed their readiness to “further develop” strategic cooperation between Georgia and Germany, at the face-to-face meeting, and then in an extended-format meeting, the government administration said.
The parties reviewed the regional and global challenges, including Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, and once again highlighted the importance of the international community's efforts to de-escalate the situation and ensure peace, as well as to support the Associated trio countries of Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova.
Photo: Government Administration
Garibashvili stressed that the Russian occupation of Georgian territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), the 2008 war between the countries and the illegal actions taken by Russia have made the security environment “even more vulnerable” in the country. He emphasised Germany’s support to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and its “special importance” in the process of “peaceful” settlement of the conflict.
Photo: Government Administration
The conversation also touched on the importance of the European Council's decision to grant Georgia the European perspective, with Garibashvili thanking his German colleague both for this “historic decision” and for Germany's political and practical support of Georgia in the European integration process. Scholz confirmed the EU has been doing everything to support the country to meet the necessary criteria for membership and Georgia would have “all kinds of support” to implement legal and political measures.
Garibashvili said the European perspective and the EU integration process have been a “special burden” of “particular importance” for Georgia and the country felt “great responsibility”, and focused on the implementation of the EU recommendations, adding that the government has been carrying out “inclusive process” along with the parliament and the opposition parties and civil society.
Photo: Government Administration
The significant role of Georgia in the process of ensuring regional security, against the background of the armed conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, was also emphasised at the meeting, highlighting Georgia's successful mediation and the special importance of Garibashvili’s Peace Initiative in the South Caucasus. The officials also pointed out Georgia’s contribution to ensuring Euro-Atlantic security, including the successful cooperation with Germany in the peacekeeping missions.
It was my pleasure to meet @Bundeskanzler during my official visit to????????. Focused on ???????????????? close p'ship& discussed ways to foster our strategic coop. We highly appreciate????????’s political support that is essential to succeed on ????????integration path& to ensure peace across the region pic.twitter.com/6gZC79Vv6m
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) September 14, 2022
The bilateral relations between Georgia and Germany in “various fields” were also discussed by the sides, noting that Germany has been one of the “leading” trade and economic partners of Georgia, therewith expressing their readiness to make “additional efforts” to fully utilise the potential of trade and economic ties.
Photo: Government Administration
The increased role of Georgia as a transit hub connecting Asia and Europe for the EU and the importance of the Middle Corridor were also welcomed by the officials, with Garibashvili expressing readiness to cooperate with German transport and logistics companies.
The PM and chancellor also noted that Georgia would be a host country in the largest tourist exhibition ITB Berlin in 2023, which would contribute to the promotion of the country and its tourism potential not only in Germany, but also throughout Europe.
Photo: Government Administration
The parties welcomed the “close, friendly’” people-to-people relations between Georgia and Germany, and expressed hope that the complex memorandum signed in the field of culture between the governments would contribute to the “rapprochement” of the Georgian and German people.