Georgian PM, German Chancellor discuss “high level” of political dialogue, bilateral relations

The “high level” of political dialogue and “positive dynamics” of bilateral relations were discussed on Friday by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and German Chancellor of Olaf Scholz in Berlin.

Kobakhidze expressed his gratitude to the Chancellor for the “solid” support for Georgia on its path of European Union integration, and also highlighted the significance of the country being granted the status of an EU candidate country last year as a “new phase” of relations with the bloc, the Georgian Government's press office said.

Kobakhidze also reaffirmed the commitment of the Georgian authorities to the “European choice” of the country, noting its next goal would be to open accession talks with the EU.

The parties also focused on the security environment of the Black Sea region, with the Georgian PM noting his country remained a “reliable partner” of the EU.

On his part, the Chancellor also reiterated the “firm support” of his Government towards the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia, while the meeting also discussed the controversial Georgian bill on transparency of foreign influence, which calls for registration of non-commercial legal entities and media outlets in the country as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they derive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad.

Kobakhidze claimed the legislative piece’s “sole designation” was to require annual financial reporting from NGOs.

The Georgian official and Scholz also held an extended meeting which engaged members of their governments in discussions for further deepening bilateral relations and ties in economy, law enforcement, culture, education and science.