Georgian FM discusses Tbilisi’s EU, NATO integration, ties with European states at OSCE Ministerial
Ilia Darchiashvili, the Georgian Foreign Minister, met with Javier Colomina, the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia. Photo: MFA Georgia
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Ilia Darchiashvili, the Georgian Foreign Minister, on Wednesday commenced a series of discussions with NATO officials and European counterparts in Skopje, North Macedonia, to discuss Tbilisi’s Euro-Atlantic integration and bilateral ties on the sidelines of the 30th Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
On the inaugural day of the visit, Darchiashvili engaged in talks with Javier Colomina, the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, with the discussions centred around the current NATO-Georgia agenda, Tbilisi’s progress in Euro-Atlantic integration, future cooperation prospects, and expectations for the 2024 Washington Summit of the alliance.
Within the scope of #OSCEMC2023, I had a very good meeting with @javiercolominaP. We reviewed the Georgia-NATO bilateral agenda. The Alliance's staunch support for our country is much appreciated! pic.twitter.com/Alcsh1tjLA
— Ilia Darchiashvili (@iliadarch) November 29, 2023
Both parties praised the “positive dynamics of high-level communication” and the “robust agenda” of cooperation between Tbilisi and the alliance, the Foreign Ministry press office said.
The meeting with Alexander Schallenberg, the Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria, revolved around Georgia's path to joining the EU, acknowledging the European Commission's positive recommendation to the European Council earlier this month for Georgia’s candidate status. Austria's “unwavering political support” in this process and commitment to Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity were also highlighted.
Good meeting with FM of ????????@iliadarch in the margins of #OSCEMC2023 in #Skopje. We reviewed bilateral #NATO-Georgia cooperation, and I congratulated again Georgia for the recent #EU Commission positive recommendation. #NATO supports ???????? euroatlantic aspirations pic.twitter.com/285uTwFvBr
— Javier Colomina (@JavierColominaP) November 29, 2023
The officials expressed hope for the European Council's approval of Georgia's candidate status next month, before addressing the security environment in the South Caucasus region, with a focus on the situation in Georgia's Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions. The Ministers also discussed the effective functioning of the organisation in light of existing challenges.
The Minister also convened with Bjarni Benediktsson, the FM of Iceland, to discuss “positive cooperation dynamics” between the states and exploring opportunities for further development across “various sectors”.
Very interesting and timely meeting with my Austrian counterpart @a_schallenberg, on the sidelines of #OSCEMC2023. We exchanged views on Georgia's EU accession, as well as on the importance of the support of our European friends, while we are expecting Georgia to be granted… pic.twitter.com/Equb5cn86h
— Ilia Darchiashvili (@iliadarch) November 29, 2023
Both sides highlighted the need to bolster political dialogue amidst global geopolitical challenges, before Darchiashvili expressed his gratitude for Iceland's support of Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and European aspirations.
Scheduled for up to 15 meetings with European counterparts and OSCE leaders, Darchiashvili is set to address the Council of Ministers of the OSCE, focusing on the situation in Georgia's occupied regions and seeking consolidated support from the international community, the foreign office said.
The Ministerial Council serves as the central decision-making and governing body of the OSCE and the ongoing event is set to review and assess the security situation in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian area, as well as the organisation's work in all its fields of activity, the OSCE said.
The annual meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the 57 OSCE participating states will run until Saturday.