UK Foreign Secretary welcomes Georgia’s “principled support” for Ukraine

The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Friday welcomed Georgia’s “principled support” for Ukraine - in both its adherence to sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of the country and the acceptance of refugees from Ukraine - in comments during his ongoing official visit to Georgia.

In his remarks at a press briefing with his Georgian counterpart Ilia Darchiashvili, Cleverly noted it was the “sovereign right” of the Georgian citizens to determine their own “future and destiny” independently of external interference, in a reference to the country’s aspirations of integration into Western structures.

The top British diplomat stressed this right must be protected, and pointed out the principle was the reason for his country working “very closely” with the Georgian Government to strengthen the state’s resilience to Russian interference.

Cleverly also reviewed Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and expressed the UK’s support for this path by saying a “strong and united” NATO was “vital to our security, both in Europe and beyond”. 

He highlighted a tailored package had been developed for Georgia, adding the British Embassy, together with its Romanian counterpart, would act as the NATO contact in Georgia this year.

The British official also added Georgia had taken “great steps” in democratic development, stressing his country “is and will remain” a “firm and steadfast friend” of the country.

He also called for strengthening Georgia’s commitment to the media, civil society and judiciary in order to strengthen democracy and institutions against those “who seek to undermine you”.