U.S. Deputy Secretary Wendy Sherman spoke today with Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani.  The relevant press release was published on the official website of the U.S. Department of State.
 
The Deputy Secretary reiterated the United States’ unwavering support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.  She noted the United States will continue to urge Russia to withdraw its forces to pre-war positions and comply with the 2008 ceasefire agreement. 

Deputy Secretary Sherman and Foreign Minister Zalkaliani emphasized the need to uphold the right of sovereign nations to choose their own security arrangements and support Georgia and Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of continued Russian aggression, and discussed how to enhance peace and security in Europe.

The Vice Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, David Zalkaliani met with the U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Georgia, Kelly Degnan, on 29 December, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The sides exchanged views over the security environment in the region, the latest developments around Ukraine and Russia’s aggressive rhetoric and actions to hinder Georgia’s and Ukraine’s NATO integration process. Underlining the inadmissibility of any third party making statements to revise the Bucharest Summit decisions, as well as of any attempt to impact this process, the sides referred to Russia’s occupation and annexation of the neighbouring countries’ territories and the failure to comply with its international obligations as the major challenge currently threatening the European security architecture.
The Foreign Minister reaffirmed that European and Euro-Atlantic integration is the Georgian People’s firm choice and that Georgia will continue to use all available formats to the maximum extent possible to accelerate the process. Zalkaliani thanked the U.S. Government for its support of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic course and for its practical and political assistance in this regard.
The sides further agreed that, given the Russian Federation’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric, it is important that Georgia and the U.S. remain in very close coordination and take concerted steps.

MFA Georgia

On 18 October, the Vice Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, David Zalkaliani met with Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic Ivan Korčok, who is paying an official visit to Georgia.
During the meeting, the sides highlighted the traditionally friendly relations and close partnership between the two countries and discussed current issues of bilateral relations, as well as prospects for future cooperation.
Particular attention was paid to the development of trade, economic and tourism relations. The Georgian-Slovak Business Forum taking place during the Slovak Foreign Minister’s visit to Georgia will play a major role in this regard.
The meeting also focused on Georgia's European integration agenda and its progress on the path to European integration. The Ministers exchanged views over the forthcoming Eastern Partnership Summit. As David Zalkaliani highlighted at the joint press conference after the meeting, it is important to reiterate the importance of Eastern Partnership policy and the need for differentiated approaches towards countries with greater aspirations and progress.
David Zalkaliani thanked his Slovak counterpart for his practical support to Georgia and for Slovakia's assistance in the development of various sectors in Georgia. "Georgia takes a priority place in the Slovak Development Cooperation Strategy, which is yet another clear proof of our excellent relations," Zalkaliani said.
Discussions also focused on the security, human rights and humanitarian situation in the occupied territories of Georgia, including on the facts of "borderization", restriction of freedom of movement, as well as kidnappings and illegal detentions. The Georgian Foreign Minister thanked his Slovak counterpart for Slovakia’s strong support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity on all international platforms. "It is very valuable that Slovakia strongly supports Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as our country's European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Slovakia makes a significant contribution to the work of the EU Monitoring Mission," said David Zalkaliani.
The two foreign ministers stressed the importance of continuing the bilateral political dialogue and the practice of high-level meetings.
Within the framework of his official visit to Georgia, Ivan Korčok will hold meetings with the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili and the Chairman of the Parliament, Kakha Kuchava. The Slovak Foreign Minister will also visit the occupation line and get acquainted with the situation on the ground.

The Foreign Minister of the Associated Trio – Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine met with the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for an Economy, Valdis Dombrovskis.

During the meeting the parties discussed the significance of the establishment of the Associated Trio and its future goals, namely in terms of European Integration and coordinating in terms of common goals, by developing cooperation with the EU, including in terms of establishing sectoral dialogue on economic and trade issues.

MFA Georgia

“Our goal and ambition is to create a unified national process and, rather than division and break-up, to develop a common state approach to and a strategic vision on the de-occupation and peaceful conflict resolution. By the end of the year, an increasing number of meetings, dialogues, discussions and consultations will be held at the interagency level, as well as with the involvement of civil society, in order to jointly develop a state vision on a peaceful and unified Georgia” – Zalkaliani said.
According to the Vice Prime Minister,  amid the escalating security environment in our region and the newly emerged geopolitical challenges facing the country, as well as against the background of Russia’s constant provocations and  steps towards de-facto annexation of Georgian territories leading to the gradually deteriorating situation in Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, Georgia’s policy in the face of new challenges needs to be  more effective.  In order to duly respond to new challenges in the region, it is critically important to create a revised, comprehensive and inclusive peace policy, involving the wider community – the policy  which will provide for result-oriented activities in all strategic areas: withdrawal of the Russian troops from the Georgian territory, conflict resolution, establishment of peace and security, return of IDPs, offering a dignified future and best development prospects to the conflict-affected communities in Sokhumi and Tskhinvali, as well as Shamgona and Khurvaleti.
“We should do our utmost to be able to live in a Georgia where there will be no occupation forces and dividing lines. We heavily rely on our strategic partners in achieving the foregoing. Our unity and inclusive peace process is critically important to get started the process of de-occupation and unification, through the proactive involvement of the international community” – the Foreign Minister is quoted as saying.  

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda arrived in the Georgian capital Tbilisi with an official visit on Thursday. According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, Georgian Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaliani and representatives of the Presidential Administration welcomed the President at the Tbilisi International Airport.

Gitanas Nausėda will hold meetings with Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Speaker of Parliament Kakha Kuchava and the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.

Today, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia held a meeting with Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The conversation focused on the situation in the region, including the latest developments, and Georgia's key role in the region's economic development and regional stability alike.

The parties also discussed bilateral and regional relations. In the context of bilateral relations, special emphasis was placed on the trade and economic ties between the two countries, also the importance of cementing their transit and transport communications, tapping into the potential in these areas, and dealing with area-specific difficulties in a timely manner.

The dialogue also touched on the pandemic-related situations and future plans in both countries.
The Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirmed strong support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The meeting at the Government's Administration was attended by Georgia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Khvtisiashvili.

Press Service of the Government Administration

During his speech at the high-level pledging event of the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan reiterated the strong commitment of Turkmenistan and its President to providing humanitarian assistance to the countries which have faced with emergency situations of natural and technogenic character.   

It was stated in particular that following the humane values and the principles of humanity, Turkmenistan has repeatedly provided humanitarian assistance to the neighboring countries, as well as to other states of the world which have face the humanitarian crises. 

Upon the instructions of the President of Turkmenistan, the country has made its voluntary contribution to the Central Emergency Response Fund in the amount of 100 000 USD in 2020.

Turkmenistan has already acknowledged about its next contribution to the CERF in 2021. 

On September 24, 2020, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov met with President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili in the framework of his official visit to Georgia.

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili congratulated Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on his appointment as the Foreign Minister and conveyed her sincere wishes to him. She also expressed hope that steps will be taken towards further strengthening relations between the two countries during his tenure. President Salome Zurabishvili requested to convey her sincere greetings to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In his turn, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov conveyed the greetings of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the President of Georgia.

The Minister noted that very useful discussions on high-level cooperation between the two countries were held during the visit. It was stated that the two countries attach equal importance to the development of relations in all three areas - political, economic and humanitarian.

Touching upon the existing protracted conflicts in the region, which poses a serious threat to regional security, the sides noted that they have a similar position in resolving these conflicts. It was stressed that our countries respect each other's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

It was stressed that along with bilateral formats, our countries are successfully cooperating on multilateral formats, within international organizations as well.

Economic, energy and transport projects implemented with the participation of both countries were discussed. The sides exchanged views on further expanding the capacity of regional corridors. The sides also discussed issues of cooperation in tourism, humanitarian and cultural fields.

The Georgian President stressed the importance of ensuring peace and stability in the region.

In his turn, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov drew attention to Armenia's aggression policy and its grave consequences and informed the President of Georgia about the latest provocative activities of the Armenian leadership. The importance of resolving the conflict within the framework of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan was emphasized.
The necessity for solidarity and cooperation between the states in the current situation on combating the pandemic was noted, and it was stressed that there is a high level of coordination and cooperation between the two countries in this regard.

At the end of the meeting, President Salome Zurabishvili invited the President and First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to visit Georgia.

The sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.