Georgian, Portuguese FMs discuss ties, security, Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and his Portuguese counterpart João Cravinho met in Lisbon. Photo: Foreign Ministry press office
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Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and his Portuguese counterpart João Cravinho on Thursday discussed bilateral cooperation, security challenges in Georgia and the wider world and Tbilisi’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
Hosted during the Georgian official’s visit to Portugal, the meeting saw Darchiashvili thank his colleague for his Government’s “continued” support for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and its territorial integrity, the Georgian foreign office said.
Glad to meet my Portuguese colleague @JoaoCravinho. We had a conversation on ????????-???????? bilateral cooperation that spans many areas and touched upon Georgia's progress on the EU integration path. We count on Portugal's firm support. pic.twitter.com/zQxPItZsWO
— Ilia Darchiashvili (@iliadarch) July 21, 2023
Darchiashvili briefed Cravinho about the Georgian Government's implementation of the 12-point conditions outlined by the European Union last year for granting Georgia its membership candidate status.
The discussion also involved the NATO Summit earlier this month and its consequences for Georgia in both “political and practical frameworks”.
The Ministers discussed security challenges in the South Caucasus region sparked by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the humanitarian situation in Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions.
Very good meeting with my colleague @iliadarch. Our bilateral relations have a lot of potential and we see Georgia as an important partner on a path to EU integration. Thank you for the visit! https://t.co/7SSITI93qH
— João Cravinho (@JoaoCravinho) July 21, 2023
The parties also discussed economic, cultural and educational ties, and noted trade and business cooperation between their countries had increased in recent years.
Darchiashvili emphasised the “successful operation” of a centre promoting the Portuguese language and culture at Tbilisi State University and said it had “greatly increased” the interest among students in the subjects.