Austrian Chancellor hails Georgia as “very important” economic partner in briefing with PM

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Monday said Georgia was a “very important” economic partner for his country, and pointed to “many opportunities” for attracting Austrian investors, in remarks during his first visit to Georgia.

In comments at a joint press briefing with his Georgian counterpart Irakli Garibashvili, Nehammer noted “productive cooperation” with Georgia as “extremely important” to his office.

The visiting official said figures of Georgia’s economic development were “very impressive” in the development of the domestic economic market, tourism and energy.

He also pointed out the country was a “very interesting partner” for Austrian companies in the context.

The Chancellor also focused on Georgia’s European Union integration process, noting there should be “same starting conditions” for all candidate countries, with no “shortcut” to the goal of membership.

Nehammer also vowed his country’s support for Georgia in the integration process and noted his Government was aware of “what needs to be done in this direction”.