Georgian FM: EU flag flying “in hearts of all of us” with membership “historical choice” of Georgian citizens
The Georgian Minister also highlighted the “freest” media landscape in the country under the ruling Georgian Dream party Government, adding it was visible “with naked eye” that there were “many critical media” in the country. Photo: MFA of Georgia
Tweet 
Share
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Friday said the European Union flag was “flying not only at protest rallies, but in the hearts of all of us” given the “historical choice” of EU membership by the country’s citizens.
Darchiashvili’s remark followed German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s comment on the public protests earlier this month against the “foreign agents” bill that led to its withdrawal by the ruling party on March 9.
The German official said she had been “very impressed” by the demonstrators protesting with EU flags in the process that was “contributing to the development of civil society”.
At a press briefing held in the Georgian foreign service, the top Georgian diplomat thanked Baerbock for her messages of support.
The European Union flag flies not only at protest rallies, but in the hearts of all of us, because the European Union is the historical, civilisational choice of our country, our people, and we hope very much for your very strong support in this direction. Thank you once again. Your arrival is very important in our country - very necessary and timely”, Darchiashvili said.
The Georgian Minister also highlighted the “freest” media landscape in the country under the ruling Georgian Dream party Government, adding it was visible “with naked eye” that there were “many critical media” in the country.
When we talk about what this Government has brought, media freedom is one of the [achievements]. [...] Critical media exists, functions in this country and is part of the country's democratic development”, he noted.
The top Georgian diplomat also reviewed the cooperation between the two countries by saying “Georgia and Germany are reliable, valuable partners for each other, and our relations are based on a strong, centuries-old foundation [and] common European values”.
We consider the visit [of the German FM] as a confirmation of strong political support from Germany in this very important period for Georgia. Also, in light of significant security challenges in the region, we appreciate that Germany supports Georgia's aspirations and European [integration] choice, which are based on common values and the expression of the unwavering will of the Georgian people”, Darchiashvili concluded.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Friday hosted his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock during the latter’s first official visit to the country.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Thursday told Mircea Geoană, the NATO Deputy Secretary General, his country remained committed to Euro-Atlantic integration.
Annalena Baerbock, the German Foreign Minister, will pay her first official visit to Georgia on Thursday to “further strengthen bilateral” ties and discuss the country’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and related reforms with the country’s top officials, the German Embassy to Georgia announced on Wednesday.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Friday said Georgia-Russia relations were limited to “one international platform” in the form of the Geneva International Discussions on matters related to conflicts on the territory of the country.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who is on her first official visit to Georgia, on Friday said Georgian citizens “belong in” the European Union and vowed her country’s support for the country’s European integration.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday said if Europe “really wanted” to end political polarisation in Georgia, the bloc should grant the country the European Union membership candidate status.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, on Friday said the Georgian Government and the civil society could not become members of the European Union independently of one another, in comments highlighting the necessity of their joint work on fulfilling the bloc’s conditions for granting the country its membership candidate status.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Friday said that her country’s citizens showed “great interest” in visiting Georgia, in comments during her first official trip to the country.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Friday said the country enjoyed “full support” and “expressed willingness” of its partners to help “our country” to achieve “further success” in the European and Euro-Atlantic integration process and “peacefully” overcome the existing challenges.