Georgian PM hails Hungarian colleague as “exemplary leader”, lauds his “firm support” for Georgia’s EU integration

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Wednesday hailed Viktor Orbán, the visiting Hungarian counterpart, as an “exemplary leader and politician” at a dinner hosted at Tsinandali Radisson Collection in eastern Georgia, while also extending his gratitude for “true friendship” and “firm support” for his country’s European integration.

Garibashvili said the visit was coming at a “critical time for Georgia”, ahead of the bloc’s decision whether to grant Georgia its membership candidate status in December, and called it “very important” while adding “everyone can see who is a true friend who supports Georgia and who wants to see the country  in Europe and with Europe”. 

For his part, the Hungarian PM said the visit was highlighting “how important and valuable these ties are for the two nations”, praising the “long history” and “Christian values” of the states. 

The presence of your country considering its geopolitical environment. The fact that you have maintained your language, Christian values, is a miracle”, Orbán said, and added the existence of his country with similar history and values was also a “miracle”. 

He noted the “meeting of the two miracles” could lay a “solid foundation” not only for close political cooperation, but also for “deep, excellent ties” between the nations. 

Orbán arrived in Georgia on Tuesday with his wife and the Governmental delegation and held a face-to-face meeting with his Georgian counterpart the following day in Tbilisi. 

The PMs are scheduled to make joint press comments on Thursday.