Georgian and Hungarian prime ministers on Thursday signed a declaration on strategic partnership between their countries in Budapest, saying the document would “further strengthen” their “strong bilateral cooperation”.
Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili, on his second official visit to Hungary, dubbed the declaration “very important” and thanked the host country and his counterpart Viktor Orbán for being a “vocal supporter” for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration and territorial integrity.
The head of the Georgian government also thanked Hungary for its involvement in the European Union monitoring mission observing activities adjacent to the Russian-occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).
Had a fruitful meeting w/???????? PM Viktor Orbán. Focused on the dynamics of ????????-???????? bilateral cooperation & the need to further deepen our ties in many areas. Grateful for ????????’s firm support to ????????’s sovereignty & territorial integrity as well as our ???????? & Euro-Atlantic aspirations. pic.twitter.com/exHoGpAkdH
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) October 27, 2022
Addressing his Hungarian counterpart, Garibashvili said his government appreciated “your comments over [the June decision of the European Council] to grant Georgia European perspective”.
You have always been and are a vocal supporter of Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, and your messages are always important to us, we appreciate it very much" said Garibashvili.
The Georgian PM reiterated the country’s European integration had been the “civilisational choice of the Georgian people”, adding the EU decision and prospects for Georgia to receive the membership candidate status were “important”.
My government is doing its utmost to meet the EU conditions [for the membership candidate status] and ensure the country’s genuine progress on its path [to the bloc]. Georgia firmly follows this path of European choice, our economy is developing, we have double-digit economic growth, we must do our best to bring our country even closer to Europe and European structures as soon as possible.
Georgian PM thanked Viktor Orbán for being a "vocal supporter" of Georgia. Photo: government of Georgia press office.
We want to become a full-fledged, worthy member of the European family and also a member of NATO”, the PM said, stressing the country had “proven its aspirations by actions”.
“We have made great sacrifices in NATO missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are represented in the EU missions in Central Africa and we will certainly continue to do so", said the Georgian official.
Garibashvili also noted he had discussed “all topics that unite our countries and are in mutual interests”, including trade and economic relations, increased trade turnover and energy cooperation, as part of his visit.