The President of Georgia and the President of the Republic of Belarus Hold a Tete-a-Tete Meeting
Published in
Politics
Thursday, 02 March 2017 11:25
As a part of the official visit to the Republic of Belarus, the President of Georgia, H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili has held a tete-a-tete meeting with the President of the Republic of Belarus, H.E. Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The meeting was mainly focused on the prospects of further strengthening cooperation in political, trade-economic, and cultural areas.
One of the main talking points was the issues of regional security. The parties have also discussed the situation in the occupied territories of Georgia. President Margvelashvili has thanked President Lukashenko for his support of Georgia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and non-recognition policy.
According to President Margvelashvili, by signing the so-called Treaty on Alliance and Integration, the Russian Federation has begun annexation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region.
If conducted, the announced referendum on integrating Tskhinvali to the Russian Federation will have extremely negative outcomes for the security of Georgia and the entire region.
President Margvelashvili has underscored the extreme importance of the international community’s firm position in regard to illegal actions taken by the Russian Federation, in order to avoid annexation of the occupied territories of Georgia.
The President of Georgia has expressed concern on the fact that Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region are still inaccessible for the international community and the European Union Monitoring Mission is the only international mechanism on site, which, despite the mandate, is not allowed to enter the occupied territories of Georgia. This further worsens the situation of human rights.
The conversation has also touched upon the incident that took place on May 19, 2016 in the village Khurcha.
The parties have also discussed the growing dynamics of economic and trade relations between Georgia and the Republic of Belarus and the importance of further strengthening this cooperation.
According to President Margvelashvili, Georgian side expresses readiness to share its experience in regard to economic reforms, e-governance, and fight against corruption with Belarusian colleagues.
As noted at the meeting, the Republic of Belarus is interested in those opportunities, which Georgia opens up for its partners through the Free Trade Area Agreement (DCFTA) and active cooperation with other regions.
The two presidents have also expressed their readiness to strengthen cooperation in the areas of education and innovation.
As highlighted at the meeting, opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus to Georgia, announced in April, 2015 during President Lukashenko's visit to Georgia, significantly contributes to the further development of bilateral relations between the two countries.
The parties have expressed hope that this visit will further strengthen the existing relationship between Georgia and the Republic of Belarus.