Georgian FM highlights France’s role in building country's “European future”
Darchiashvili said he had briefed Colonna about the steps taken by the Georgian Government to ensure a “clear and prompt” implementation of the European Union conditions for granting the country the membership candidate status. Photo: MFA of Georgia
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Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Friday highlighted the importance of the visit of the top French diplomat to the country, and noted that France was an “unwavering” partner in building the country's “European future”.
In his remarks at a press conference with his French counterpart Catherine Colonna, Darchiashvili stressed that the Georgian Government would “undoubtedly” continue to work together with French counterparts to create a “brighter and more vibrant” future for the country in Europe.
“Today’s visit is of particular significance and has a number of aspects, including bilateral relations and France's support and the mobilisation in the successful fulfilment of Georgia's aspirations in terms of its foreign policy”, Darchiashvili said.
The top Georgian diplomat noted that the visit would send a “powerful message” and would have a “significant impact” on the strengthening of the security environment in the Black Sea region.
Darchiashvili added he had briefed Colonna about the steps taken by the Georgian Government to ensure a “clear and prompt” implementation of the European Union conditions for granting the country the membership candidate status.
The visit of my French colleague @MinColonna to Georgia is a proof of exceptional friendship and strong political support of France for our country. We spoke about Georgia's European integration and expressed readiness to further strengthen ????????-???????? bilateral cooperation. pic.twitter.com/W3GtFAoX0F
— Ilia Darchiashvili (@iliadarch) April 28, 2023
“I informed the [French] Minister about the Government's daily efforts aimed at transparently fulfilling the objectives. [...] The Georgian legislative body adopted more than 80 new laws to implement these recommendations [set out by the European commission]”, Darchiashvili continued.
The Georgian official also noted that the Georgian Government continued to work in cooperation with international organisations - Venice Commision and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (ODIHR) - to “shortly” take “tangible actions”.
“We are very grateful for France’s unwavering support for our country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Their assistance in this regard is tremendously important to Georgia”, he said.
Darchiashvili also added that he had reviewed a “very difficult” security environment created in the Black Sea region with his French counterpart.
“The security framework not just in our region but also around the world has been drastically transformed by Russia's [ongoing] armed action against the independent Ukraine. I believe we should make coordinated efforts to ensure that the new security architecture enhances security [environment] in every region”, he added.
He stressed Georgia was “strongly committed” to implementing the peaceful strategy in the Russian-occupied regions of the country, and noted “this is the only option to restore our nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
“The Georgian Government is committed strongly and completely to the principle of the peaceful resolution of the conflict [in the country]” he said.
Darchiashvili also extended his gratitude to Colonna for the French Development Agency's “long-standing” assistance in developing the country’s institutions and transforming its democratic system.
French and German ambassadors to Georgia, Sheraz Gasri and Peter Fischer, on Friday said the European Union had “opened its arms” to Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova in last year’s decisions on the Associated Trio countries’ aspirations for joining the bloc, in a joint statement released on the first anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Catherine Colonna, the French Foreign Minister, on Friday arrived in Georgia to mark the first trip of a French top diplomat to Tbilisi in five years, as the visiting official was welcomed by Teimuraz Janjalia, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia.
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Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Monday highlighted the “positive dynamics” of ties with France in his meeting with the French counterpart Catherine Colonna.