Parliament Speaker, German Bundestag President discuss Georgia’s EU, Euro-Atlantic aspirations
In his tweet following the meeting, Papuashvili expressed his “heartfelt” gratitude for Germany’s “unwavering support, standing firmly” by Georgia's territorial integrity, and fostering the country’s institutional and socio-economic transformation since the very days of its regained independence. Photo: Parliament of Georgia
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Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations were discussed on Monday in a meeting between Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and Bärbel Bas, the President of the German Bundestag, who is on an official visit to the country.
The officials reviewed the steps and expectations of Georgia and Germany on the country’s path to EU and NATO membership, as well as the Russian aggression against Ukraine and its outcomes, ongoing events and security challenges in the South Caucasus region, the Parliament press office said.
Fruitful meeting with President @baerbelbas of @Bundestag during her timely official visit to Georgia! I expressed heartfelt gratitude for Germany's unwavering support, standing firmly by our territorial integrity, and fostering our institutional and socio-economic transformation… pic.twitter.com/kkbAOanSeL
— Shalva Papuashvili ???????? (@shpapuashvili) July 10, 2023
It was emphasised by the sides that the high-level meetings and visits between the two countries were based on their long-lasting “effective” cooperation in culture, education, science and other fields.
The Bundestag President stressed Germany supported Georgia's EU integration and would continue its commitment to this in the future too.
In his tweet following the meeting, Papuashvili expressed his “heartfelt” gratitude for Germany’s “unwavering support, standing firmly” by Georgia's territorial integrity, and fostering the country’s institutional and socio-economic transformation since the very days of its regained independence.
Archil Talakvadze, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Monday said Georgia was “strategically ready” for NATO membership and described the country as the alliance’s “reliable partner”, ahead of the bloc’s Summit on Tuesday.
A Georgian delegation headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ilia Darchiashvili will participate in the upcoming NATO Summit set to kick off on Tuesday in Lithuania’s capital city of Vilnius.
Alec Shelbrooke, the head of the British Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, on Sunday said Georgia's place was in the “Euro-Atlantic space” and noted the country must continue implementing its reforms to prepare for an eventual membership in the alliance.
Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General, on Tuesday described Georgia as “one of closest partners” of the alliance and pledged “continued political and practical support” for the country.
Germany supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, strengthens Georgian democracy, and has provided more than €1 billion in aid to the country in recent years, Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili said at a joint press conference with Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Three German parties forming a new coalition government have declared their support for the European integration of the Eastern Partnership countries, including Georgia. The Social Democrats, Greens, and Free Democrats reached a deal yesterday to form a new government in Germany, with Olaf Scholz replacing Angela Merkel as chancellor.
The existing relations between Georgia and Germany and future prospects of cooperation, as well as Georgia’s European Union integration, were discussed on Tuesday in a meeting by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Bärbel Bas, the President of the German Bundestag, who is on an official visit to the country.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has announced plans to put Georgia and Moldova on the list of safe countries, Georgian media outlet IPN reported on Wednesday.