Keynote Speech Delivered by Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia at the Opening Ceremony of ITB Berlin 2023
Good Evening Your Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,
Within the Caucasus region, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, our country has been the heart of many civilizations for millennia, being the target of great empires and often serving as the subject of contention between them. Entire history of humankind is represented in Georgia. The country was forming and evolving in constant struggle, in the pursuit of development and freedom, and at the same time, in active interaction with other cultures. It is the cooperation of these cultures that gave rise to the intercultural and tolerant nature of which we, Georgians, are so proud!
Almost all climate zones of the planet can be found in Georgia – from subtropical to those of eternal snow and glaciers.
The Georgian nation with its character was formed in such an environment and historical process, with Georgian identity and culture, which is tolerant and respectful of all cultures.
Very few countries exist in the world that have a 3,000-year old history of statehood and a multi-thousand-year national culture. This very culture is one of the fascinating achievements of world civilization and is as old as humanity itself.
Indeed, our history begins from ancient times. The oldest human ancestor in Eurasia was discovered in Georgia. You may well be aware of Homo Georgicus – the first Europeans who lived on the territory of our country almost 2 million years ago and gave rise to the population of modern Europe.
The Georgians have always had a close connection with the ancient civilizations of the Near East or Mesopotamia. The oldest reference to Georgian political establishments can be found in Assyrian sources. The Georgian kingdoms of Colchis, Diaokhi, and Iberia became an integral part of world civilization.
Archaeological discoveries and artefacts reveal a connection between the Hellenic myth about the Golden Fleece and our reality. Even the ancient Greek historians did not doubt this connection. It was thanks to Colchis, being the country of the Golden Fleece, that Georgia found its rightful place in European culture for the first time. The whole cycle of Greek mythology is dedicated to the campaign of Argonauts in Colchis, while the Greek myths are the main source giving rise to ancient and later European culture.
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Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili meets Permanent Representatives of various countries to the UN
Today, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with the Permanent Representatives of various countries to the UN.
In the meeting at the Government Administration, the dynamic of cooperation between the countries was reviewed. The importance of cementing cooperation based on common interests was underlined.The Prime Minister pointed out that the development of global partnership is one of the Georgian Government’s key priorities.The conversation touched on Georgia’s progress toward implementing effective reforms. Commitment to sharing successful and internationally recognized Georgian reforms across a variety of areas was also expressed.Georgia has been hosting the permanent representatives of various countries to the UN for years. The goal of Ambassadors’ visits is to share information about the country’s development, economic opportunities, and implemented reforms.The meeting was attended by Permanent Representative of the Republic of Benin to the UN Marc Hermanne Gninadoou Araba, Permanent Representative of the Comoros to the UN Issimail Chanfi, Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the UN Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja, Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the UN Jose Alfonso Blanco Conde, Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia to the UN Menissa Marcelle Rambally, Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili, and Permanent Representative of Georgia to the UN Davit Bakradze.Press Service of the Government Administration -
Within the scope of his visit to Brussels, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with Charles Michel, President of the European Council.
The process of Georgia’s accession to the EU was the key topic discussed at the meeting. Irakli Garibashvili briefed the President of the European Council about Georgia’s efforts toward fulfilling the European Commission’s 12 priorities and pointed out that, in this process, the authorities maintain continuous consultations with EU institutions and member states, also the Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR.The Prime Minister paid special attention to the importance of granting Georgia the EU membership candidate status at the end of this year.According to the Prime Minister, a large portion of the recommendations has been fulfilled and, based on the progress achieved, Georgia deserves the candidate status at the end of this year.Irakli Garibashvili emphasized that the Association Agreement, the DCFTA with the EU, visa-free travel, and the recently granted European perspective demonstrate Georgia’s progress toward European integration under the current Government.The parties discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine and its impact on the region’s security environment.Press Service of the Government Administration -
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 -
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with Erika Olson, United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of State.
In the meeting at the Government Administration, the strategic partnership between the two countries was discussed. The importance of strengthening cooperation in different areas was emphasized.Irakli Garibashvili and Erika Olson also discussed the security environment in the region and the world. In this context, the importance of the Prime Minister’s South Caucasus peaceful neighborhood initiative was underlined.The conversation also touched on Georgia’s tangible progress toward European integration.The meeting was attended by US Deputy Chief of Mission in Georgia Rian Harris, Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili, and Head of the Government Administration Revaz Javelidze.Press Service of the Government Administration -
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili laid a wreath at the April 9 Memorial and honored the memory of the fallen heroes.
At the memorial, the Head of Government was accompanied by Chair of the Georgian Dream Party Irakli Kobakhidze, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, and members of the Cabinet of Ministers and Parliament.Press Service of the Government Administration
