Georgian, Croatian PMs review cooperation, EU integration

Cooperation between Georgia and Croatia and the former’s progress on its European Union integration path was discussed on Monday in a meeting between the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenković.

Garibashvili, who is on his first official visit to Croatia, reviewed the implementation of the EU conditions for granting the country the membership candidate status later this year, and noted his country was “deservedly waiting [to receive] the status at the end of the year”, the Government Administration said.

The Government head stressed it was “particularly important” for Georgia to share the experience of Croatia in its process of joining the bloc.

Garibashvili thanked Plenković for his Government’s support for European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Georgia and its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The meeting also highlighted “historical, cultural and territorial” similarities of the two countries, with the officials noting they made the “friendship and cooperation between the two countries even closer and fruitful”.

The officials also discussed sectoral cooperation, with the Georgian official expressing his willingness to further encourage sectoral agencies and deepen cooperation in economy, tourism, defence and justice. 

The Georgian PM also welcomed the exchange of business strategies between the two countries, which he said would “increase economic cooperation and facilitate entry of Croatian investments in Georgia”.