Georgian PM, Austrian parliamentary delegation review partnership, prospects for cooperation

The “close partnership” between Georgia and Austria and prospects for future cooperation between the two states were discussed on Tuesday in a meeting between the Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili and an Austrian parliamentary delegation. 

The head of the government stressed the “existing potential” between the sides should be “used as much as possible”, including in economy, energy, tourism, agriculture, environmental protection, education, culture and other areas, the government administration said.

Garibashvili highlighted the importance of Austria's “strong political support” for Georgia's accession to the European Union and noted his government was working “inclusively” on the conditions of the European Council for granting the country the membership candidate status.

He also thanked Austrian authorities for their support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for their policy of non-recognition of the Russian-occupied territories of Georgia and “important contribution” to the EU monitoring mission observing the conflict-affected areas.

Garibashvili once again confirmed his government’s commitment to the policy of peaceful resolution of the conflict.