The Deputy Foreign Minister has discussed with his Irish counterpart current issues relating to Georgia-EU relations
The sides highlighted the common values and interests, on which Georgia-Ireland relations are based, as well as the common vision of the sides on the strengthening of the rules-based international order.
Reviewing the current agenda of bilateral cooperation, the sides emphasized the importance of exchanging high-level visits in terms of further deepening cooperation and moving to a qualitatively newer level.
The conversation focused on the further development of trade-economic and sectoral cooperation. The opportunities in bilateral relations and the importance of its full use were mentioned. Emphasis was placed on the effective functioning of the Georgia-Ireland Business Council and the promotion of contacts between business circles. In this context, the focus was on visa facilitation with Ireland, which will have a significant impetus to deepen both interpersonal contacts and trade and economic ties.
One of the main issues of the meeting was Georgia's integration into the European Union and the main reforms carried out by the country within the framework of the Association Agreement. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia reviewed the current directions of Georgia-EU relations, the country's application for EU membership and the government's commitment to the European integration process and the irreversible course of reforms.
The sides positively assessed Georgia’s progress on the implementation of the Association Agreement. It was noted that the agreement creates a good ground for Georgia's integration into the EU in various fields.
During the meeting, the focus was on the situation in the region. The sides discussed the large-scale military aggression by Russia against Ukraine, which poses significant challenges to the idea of a united, free and peaceful Europe, and to the existing security architecture.
The Georgian and Irish delegations exchanged information on efforts to support Ukraine, both at the political and humanitarian level.
The Irish side reaffirmed its unconditional support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Deputy Secretary General noted that Ireland, as a small country, shares the challenges facing Georgia and will do its utmost to maintain the urgency of the issue on the international agenda.
Teimuraz Janjalia welcomed Ireland’s strong position and active support for Georgia amid the fragile environment created in the region.
The sides discussed current issues of multilateral cooperation. The Georgian side underlined the role of Ireland as a member of the UN Security Council and the chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
During the consultations, regional security challenges and current issues on the international agenda were also discussed.
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Committee for European Union of the German Bundestag visits Tbilisi
A delegation from the committee for European Union affairs of the German Bundestag will visit Georgia from May 2nd to 5th, 2023. Members of the delegation are: Christian Petry (SPD, Head of delegation), Ralph Brinkhaus (CDU/CSU), Michael Sacher (BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN), Thomas Hacker (FDP) and Dr. Harald Weyel (AfD).
During the visit, meetings are planned with the Minister of Justice, H.E. Rati Bregadze, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, H.E. Levan Davitashvili, and Deputy Foreign Minister, H.E. Teimuraz Janjalia.
Furthermore, the delegation will hold talks with the Speaker of the Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili and the chairmen of several committees of the Georgian Parliament.
The program is completed by exchanges with representatives of civil society, the media, business and cultural institutions.
As Georgia submitted an application for membership to the European Union in March 2022 and has had the prospect of joining the EU since June 2022, the talks will concern necessary reforms and the structure of relations and cooperation between Georgia and the EU.
Against the background of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the focus will also be on coordinating questions of foreign and security policy, as well as on the regional effects of the war and geopolitical aspects.
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The EU Foreign Affairs Council took place on 24 April, with the situation in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova as priority topics.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba addressed the EU ministers via video conference, and briefed them about the latest developments on the ground and Ukraine’s military priorities and needs, especially in terms of ammunition and missiles.
EU High Representative Josep Borrell highlighted that in total the EU and its member states have already facilitated the delivery to Ukraine of over €13 billion in military support.
He also updated ministers on EU military support to Ukraine in the context of the three-track plan. On track one, the EU adopted an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility worth €1 billion to address Ukraine’s most immediate needs. EU member states are also finalising work on track two, to facilitate joint procurement. Lastly, the European Commission will soon present concrete proposals on how to ramp up the European defence production capacity under track three.
Ministers were also informed about the activities of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), which has already exceeded its initial target by training over 16,000 Ukrainian soldiers. The EU aims to train a total of 30,000 soldiers by the end of 2023.
EU Foreign Ministers also held an informal exchange with the Georgian Foreign Minister, Ilia Darchiashvili, and confirmed that Georgia has made significant progress in many key reforms. They also highlighted that rule of law, human rights, media, civil society and independent state institutions are important elements for each country aspiring to join the EU.
Concerning Moldova, the Foreign Affairs Council established a new civilian EU CSDP partnership mission (EUPM Moldova), reached a broad agreement on a new framework for sanctions against those who destabilise the country, and on allocating further €40 million coming from the European Peace Facility to support Moldova’s defence capabilities.
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, together with a delegation, has set out on a visit to Belgium.
Within the scope of the visit, Irakli Garibashvili will hold high-level bilateral meetings at both NATO and the EU.Led by the Prime Minister, the Georgian delegation consists of Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and Head of the Government Administration Revaz Javelidze.Press Service of the Government Administration -
From 2024, nationals of all 59 countries across the world that enjoy visa-free travel to the EU, including Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, will be required to obtain ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) travel authorisation. This is a new requirement introduced by the European Union to enter any of the 27 Schengen countries, Bulgaria, Romania, or Cyprus.
ETIAS is an online travel authorisation, not a visa.
With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you will be able to stay in any of the 30 European countries for 90 days in any 180-day period.
To apply for ETIAS you must have a passport valid for more than 3 months, provide an email address, complete the online form and pay a fee of €7.
There is only one official ETIAS website: europa.eu/etias. The application form will be made available on this website once the system is launched.
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On 17 April, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, reiterated their support for Ukraine for as long as needed, and their determination to provide continued security, economic and institutional support to help Ukraine defend itself, secure its free and democratic future and deter future Russian aggression.
The G7 also remains committed to intensifying sanctions against Russia, coordinating and fully enforcing them, and countering Russia’s and third parties’ attempts to evade and undermine sanctions. The ministers also said that “any resolution to the conflict must ensure Russia pays for the damage it has caused” and that “there can be no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities, such as Russia’s attacks against civilians and critical civilian infrastructure”.
G7 Foreign Ministers called Russia’s nuclear rhetoric and its threat to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus “irresponsible” and “unacceptable”. “Any use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons by Russia would be met with severe consequences,” said ministers in a statement. They also condemned Russia’s continued seizure and militarisation of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), “which could lead to potentially severe consequences for nuclear safety and security”.
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