Georgian FM, Bulgarian counterpart discuss ties, EU integration
The Bulgarian side gave “positive assessment” to Georgia's reforms and efforts made in the process of rapprochement with the EU, while also pointing out the country’s “important role” for the bloc in such “key areas” as energy security and alternative transit routes. Photo: MFA of Georgia
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Georgia's integration into the European Union, bilateral ties and deepening sectoral cooperation between Georgia and Bulgaria were discussed on Friday in a meeting between Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and his Bulgarian counterpart Mariya Gabriel.
Gabriel highlighted Sofia’s “strong support” for the bloc granting Georgia its membership candidate status, and noted both states shared “common European values”. She noted Georgia should “count on Bulgaria's political and practical support on this path”, the Georgian foreign office said.
The parties emphasised Georgia's progress both on the path of integration into the European Union and in the process of fulfilling the 12 recommendations outlined by the European Commission for granting the country candidate status later this year.
The Bulgarian side gave “positive assessment” to Georgia's reforms and efforts made in the process of rapprochement with the EU, while also pointing out the country’s “important role” for the bloc in such “key areas” as energy security and alternative transit routes.
The ministers stressed the “growing potential” of the Black Sea and noted the importance of deepening and developing cooperation between the two countries on regional topics, including Bulgaria's involvement in the green energy project.
The meeting also focused on the current agenda of bilateral cooperation and the “high-level ties” between the countries, both at the legislative and governmental levels, while also emphasising the “great potential” of deepening sectoral cooperation in economy, trade, technology, education, culture and agriculture.
The officials pledged readiness to “actively work” in these directions, including by bringing business circles of the two countries closer.
The ministers expressed hope that the “high-level ties” would contribute to the further strengthening of relations, with the Georgian official inviting his counterpart to the country.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili will meet with his Bulgarian counterpart Mariya Gabriel on Friday in Sofia, where the officials will discuss bilateral cooperation, prospects for further strengthening of ties and Tbilisi’s European integration goals and prospects, the Georgian foreign office said.
Cooperation between Georgia and Bulgaria and prospects for further strengthening of existing ties were discussed on Wednesday in a meeting between Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Otar Berdzenishvili, the country’s newly appointed Ambassador to Bulgaria.
The Embassy of Georgia in Bulgaria on Wednesday unveiled a photograph of the Jvari Monastery, a historic landmark and cultural heritage monument in Georgia, at a bus stop in city centre of Bulgaria’s capital Sofia.
The agenda of bilateral and multilateral cooperation involving Georgia and Bulgaria, and prospects of further deepening the “traditionally friendly” relations between the states were discussed on Saturday in an introductory meeting between the Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and Vesselin Valkanov, the Bulgarian Ambassador to the country.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Friday said the National Assembly of Bulgaria had adopted a declaration in favour of granting Georgia the European Union membership candidate status that was “yet another bold demonstration of our friends’ support”.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel on Friday stressed her country would continue to “strongly support” Georgia on the European Union integration path.
Otar Berdzenishvili, the Georgian Ambassador to Bulgaria, on Saturday said the adoption of a declaration “for the first time” by the National Assembly of Bulgaria in support of Georgia on Friday was a “historic” occasion.
Archil Talakvadze, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Tuesday said the future of the European Union would be “more secure and reliable” if Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova became members of the bloc.