Georgian PM, Belgian Parliament Speaker discuss close partnership, EU integration

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Eliane Tillieux, the President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, on Wednesday discussed the “close partnership” between the countries in bilateral and multilateral formats.

The parties reviewed the prospects of deepening cooperation in various areas, including trade, economy, investment and tourism, as well as science, education and culture, the Government Administration said.

Garibashvili briefed the Belgian official on the process of Georgia’s accession to the European Union and noted a “large part” of priorities outlined by the bloc for granting the country the membership candidate status had been “already implemented” by his Government.

The European Council’s “historic decision” to recognise the European perspective of Georgia was highlighted at the meeting, with the Georgian PM emphasising the importance of the country receiving the candidate status at the end of 2023.

After the meeting, Tillieux gave the Georgian PM and the country’s delegation a tour of the historical building of the Parliament of Belgium, while Garibashvili made a note in the guest book of the venue.