PM’s Brussels visit “very important” for Georgia, foreign political priorities - FM
The top diplomat also noted sectoral cooperation “in many directions” would be one of the “main topics” discussed on Tuesday to identify “even more components and more opportunities” for Georgia to continue the integration on a “practical level”. Photo: Government press office
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Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Monday said Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s visit to Brussels this week was “very important” for the country and its foreign political priorities.
In his comments, Darchiashvili said the visit would discuss the country’s integration into the European Union within the Association Council format, which he said represented the “main platform” for relations between the country and the bloc.
Darchiashvili said it was a “very important” message from the PM to hold the meetings with officials of EU and NATO bodies, with the eighth meeting of the Council set to be hosted on Tuesday.
Darchiashvili said the Government had “immediately” started its work on fulfilling the nine conditions set out by the European Commission in November for opening accession talks with Georgia. He added the conditions were “spelled out” for each institution.
We have also repeatedly said that any document is subject to change depending on the situation, and the consultations we have with our European partners in a continuous format”, the official also noted.
The Minister added he had “personally addressed” the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe with the invitation for observers for the parliamentary elections scheduled to be held in the country in October.
This was one of our responsibilities and obligations [...] We have repeatedly said that open and transparent elections are our top priority. We are primarily interested in making these elections outstanding and of high standards”, he said.
He also said the PM’s first visit to Brussels would mark the start of a “very important” process and give a “new impetus” to “strengthening and accelerating” Georgia’s foreign policy priorities.
The FM also emphasised the country's progress in European integration and said it was stemming from the implementation of “daily reforms” with a “consistent approach in various directions”. He added theGeorgian Parliament had developed “many laws and changes” that had ensured the country’s “institutional and legal compatibility” with the EU.
The top diplomat also noted sectoral cooperation “in many directions” would be one of the “main topics” discussed on Tuesday to identify “even more components and more opportunities” for Georgia to continue the integration on a “practical level”.
Vakhtang Makharoblishvili, Georgia's Ambassador to the European Union, on Tuesday said Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s visit to Brussels this week would be ”extremely interesting and informative”.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday said the eighth meeting of the Association Council between the European Union and Georgia would discuss the Black Sea submarine electricity cable project, a project for a new transmission route to connect the South Caucasus grid to Europe.
Nikoloz Samkharadze, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Monday said Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze visiting Brussels in his first official trip in the capacity was a “clear political signal” European Union and NATO integration was the “main direction” for the Government.
Davit Matikashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday said Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s first official visit to Brussels would be “successful”.
Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday left for his first official visit to Brussels as Georgia’s Prime Minister, the Government Administration said.
Viktor Dolidze, Georgia's Ambassador to NATO, on Monday said Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s first official visit to Brussels showed the country's “most important” foreign and security policy priorities.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday said Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s first official foreign visit being made to Brussels was a “signal” the country was “doing everything” to ensure European integration in the Euro-Atlantic space.
Georgia's accession to the European Union was discussed on Tuesday in a meeting between Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
A Georgian delegation led by the country’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze is holding meetings of the Association Council with the European Union in Brussels, the Government Administration said on Tuesday.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday said his Government had “confirmed firm will” to fulfil its obligations with the European Union and move forward on its European integration path.
Viktor Dolidze, Georgia's Ambassador to NATO, on Wednesday said Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s first official visit to Brussels and meetings with NATO officials would add “another important impetus” to the country’s aspirations for full membership in the alliance.