FM’s Parliament report highlights EU integration progress, peaceful reintegration policy, NATO Summit plans

Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Friday highlighted his country’s progress on its European integration path, his office’s plans for the forthcoming NATO Summit in July and the importance of the Government’s stance and efforts for peacefully reintegrating the Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions, in his report to the Parliament. 

Addressing the legislative body, the official stressed the country was on the “final stage” of the implementation of the 12-point conditions outlined by the European Union last year for granting Tbilisi its membership candidate status, saying the Government was expecting a “fair and a merit-based’ decision from the European Council by the end of this year. 

Darchiashvili stressed the process of working on the priorities had been carried out “in full compliance with the principles of inclusiveness and transparency”, with the initiative and coordination of the Parliament, and involvement of state agencies and the non-governmental sector.

He stressed obtaining the status - which he said the country “already deserved” last year - would be “another historic decision” that would formally strengthen Georgia's position on the path to joining the EU, promote depolarisation on the domestic political scene and be an “important determining factor” in strengthening peace and stability in the country.   

Darchiashvili claimed Georgia had gained and maintained the status of a “leading reformer state” among the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood Initiative states over the last decade, and had already fulfilled half of its obligations as part of the Association Agreement signed with the EU in 2014, and 60 percent of obligations outlined in the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Deal with the bloc. 

FM Ilia Darchiashvili with his deputies in the state legislature. Photo: Parliament press office. 

Preparations underway to represent Georgia at NATO Summit “with dignity” 

Darchiashvili said his body was taking actions for the country’s “appropriate and dignified presentation” at the forthcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius in July. 

He highlighted Tbilisi had “effectively used all available tools” for NATO integration - including through the NATO-Georgia Commission, the Annual National Programme, and the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package. 

He pledged the country would use “all possibilities” for the country’s ultimate integration into the alliance. 

Conflicts can be resolved “only peacefully” 

In his report, the FM commended the Government's efforts to resolve its territorial conflicts with Russia “only peacefully”. 

He said his office had used “all legal instruments” to strengthen the country's sovereignty and ensure its territorial integrity in a peaceful manner, before highlighting Georgia’s successes in international courts in lawsuits against Russia. 

Darchiashvili also pointed to the importance of the Geneva International Discussions - a platform launched following the 2008 to facilitate discussions on conflict-related topics - and the presence of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia. 

He added his office was working “actively” to prevent the recognition of Georgia’s Russian occupied regions as independent republics by foreign states, and exert pressure on Russia with the engagement of foreign partners to meet the 2008 ceasefire agreement and withdraw its troops from the country’s territories. 

“Dynamic” ties with “key strategic partner” US 

Darchiashvili claimed the country’s cooperation with its “strategic partner”, the United States, was developing “dynamically”. 

The US is actively supporting the strengthening of sovereignty and security of our country, its integration into NATO, as well as the implementation of democratic reforms and deepening of [bilateral] economic cooperation”, he said. 

The official also cited the US State Department as saying Tbilisi was acting in line with international sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine last year. 

The defence and security cooperation with the US is at an all-time-high”, he added. 

Opposition MPs were able to ask questions to the Minister. Photo: Parliament press office. 

Georgia’s support for Ukraine “firm from very first days” of war 

Darchiashvili said the Government’s political, diplomatic and humanitarian support for Ukraine had been “firm” since Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022. 

• Georgia has “steadfastly” supported Ukraine since beginning of war - Gov’t’s annual report

He stressed Georgia had joined more than 500 international resolutions and statements in support of Ukraine so far and had ensured aid to more than 20,000 Ukrainian nationals stranded in his country due to the war. 

Foreign Office’s role in attracting investments 

In other comments, the Minister said his office had facilitated more than 60 visits of foreign business delegations or forums to the country this year, with the efforts designed to attract investments into the country. 

He also said his office was supporting international economic projects involving Georgia, including the implementation of the Black Sea submarine cable project, designed to export green energy to Europe via the South Caucasus.