Greek FM confirms support for Georgia’s European integration in meeting with Georgian counterpart
Georgia’s increased role and importance in the Black Sea region was also noted, with the Greek FM expressing his Government’s “firm support” for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Dendias also reiterated the position of his Government on inadmissibility of forceful changing of international borders - which he said Georgia was a victim of, in reference to the ongoing occupation of the country’s regions by Russia. Photo via Foreign Ministry
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Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias on Thursday once again confirmed his country’s support for Georgia's European integration and acknowledged its progress in the process in a meeting with his Georgian counterpart Ilia Darchiashvili.
Darchiashvili, hosted in his visit to Greece, briefed his colleague on the steps being taken by the Government for implementing the European Commission’s recommendations for granting Georgia a European Union membership candidate status.
The visiting Minister said he hoped the EU would take into account the efforts, and that the work would be reflected in a “relevant decision” on the status, the Georgian Foreign Ministry said.
A memorandum of cooperation in diplomatic training was also signed by the officials, who discussed bilateral relations and welcomed the “positive agenda in various fields” and the successfully implemented projects between the sides.
I believe that by signing the memorandum of cooperation in diplomatic training today, we have laid another stone in the development of our cooperation. I believe that the connections of our young diplomats and their joint efforts will be beneficial both for the region and their professional activities”, Dendias noted.
The FMs also emphasised the “historically established friendly ties” between Georgia and Greece, and said the cooperation had impacted the political and diplomatic relations as well as the cultural ties, people-to-people contacts and “historical values” that had defined Georgia's “civilisational choice” on European integration.
Grateful to my Greek counterpart @NikosDendias for his warm welcome. We had a comprehensive conversation on major themes of our bilateral agenda. I'm sure, this visit will upgrade coop between our countries to a new level. ????????'s support for ????????’s ????????integration is much appreciated. pic.twitter.com/xOhr4wEBo5
— Ilia Darchiashvili (@iliadarch) February 15, 2023
Their conversation also touched on the importance of “high-level” visits and intensity of contacts to further develop the existing relations between the two states, with the ministers stressing the “great potential” of relations in tourism and trade, while agreeing to hold a meeting of their intergovernmental economic commission in the near future.
Georgia’s increased role and importance in the Black Sea region was also noted, with the Greek FM expressing his Government’s “firm support” for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Dendias also reiterated the position of his Government on inadmissibility of forceful changing of international borders - which he said Georgia was a victim of, in reference to the ongoing occupation of the country’s regions by Russia.
I welcomed to Athens today the #Georgia counterpart, @iliadarch. Constructive talks on enhancing ????????-???????? cooperation in various areas (such as economy, trade, tourism, culture) & within International Organisations. International & regional developments also on the agenda. pic.twitter.com/3KStW1UM3d
— Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) February 15, 2023
In his turn, Darchiashvili thanked the hosting FM for his support of the Georgian diaspora in Greece, and highlighted the “tremendous support” provided by Greek governments to Georgia since the restoration of the latter’s independence. In his return remarks, Dendias noted Greece had a “special interest” in the Caucasus region.
Darchiashvili extended his gratitude for the “warm hospitality” during the official trip, with his counterpart expressing readiness to visit Georgia “at the first opportunity”.