The newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Georgia, Mr. Ihor Dolhov has presented credentials to the President of Georgia, H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili.
Following the official ceremony of presenting credentials, the President has held a meeting with Mr. Dolhov and the newly elected Ambassador has extended personal greetings of the President of Ukraine, H.E. Petro Poroshenko to President Margvelashvili.
At the meeting, the current friendly relations between Georgia and Ukraine and the prospects of further enhancing cooperation were discussed. The conversation has also touched upon the strategic partnership between the two countries and the importance of the jointly implemented projects.
The parties have also discussed the existing regional situation and the security issues. Mr. Dolhov has once again affirmed his firm support of Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the country’s non-recognition policy. 
As Mr. Dolhov pointed out, as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Georgia, he will spare no effort to further strengthen relations between the two countries.

H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili congratulates H.E. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the occasion of His re-election on the post of the President of Turkmenistan:
„Dear President,
Please accept my most sincere congratulations on the occasion of Your re-election as the President of the Turkmenistan.
The unity of citizens expressed by the voters’ high turnout at the elections, is due to the people’s decision made in favor of the stability and further comprehensive development of Turkmenistan.
Considering Your extensive experience as a politician and statesman, I remain confident that in the period of complicated global and regional economic challenges, under Your leadership Turkmenistan will reach the new heights of development.
Dear President, I express hope that the issues related to the further strengthening of Georgian-Turkmen relations will continue to be the object of Your high attention. 
Taking this opportunity, let me once again congratulate You and please accept the assurances of my highest consideration along with my best wishes for Your success in Your future endeavors on the highest state post of the President of Turkmenistan”, - is stated in the official congratulatory letter.

The forum “Challenges of Child Welfare in Georgia” was held at the Presidential Palace. The forum was opened by the President of Georgia, H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili.
The forum aims to identify and discuss the problems in the field of child welfare, in order to promptly determine necessary solutions and offer them to the decision-makers.
The President has thanked the diplomatic corps, international partners, and donors, participating in the forum, who help our country overcoming hardships through their resources. He has also thanked the government and those agencies who have taken serious steps in improving the social and health conditions of children.
"What could be better, more adequate and important than the care of the older generation on the future generation, in order our children to be live in a more protected environment. Numerous problems still exist in this regard, which require our coordinated and active response.
The fact that according to the UNICEF’s data, one in six children lives in poverty; the challenges that handicapped children face in terms of social integration; the fact that in many occasions children work like elders; or the fact that many children still live outside – these are all problematic issues.
These problems exist in every society; however, societies are measured according to how able they are to overcome and solve these hardships.
I see the willingness of the government of Georgia and the executive and legislative structures to face these problems and take steps to overcome them.
Unfortunately, the objective reality exists, full of economic problems, certain taboos, and clichés, which complicate the process of overcoming these challenges.
Our today’s gathering aims to unite us and to further strengthen our spirit of overcoming challenges and improving children’s rights, conditions of daily lives, and social integration process.
I will also be very actively involved in solving these problems in the future”, - stated the President.
The welcome speeches at the opening were also delivered by the Advisor to the President in Ethnic Minority Issues Mrs. Sopio Shamanidi, the Public Defender Mr. Ucha Nanuashvili, the Deputy Minister of Labour Health and Social Affairs Mr. Valeri Kvaratskhelia, the Chairperson of Education, Science and Culture Committee Mrs. Mariam Jashi, the Deputy Minister of Education Mrs. Lia Gigauri, and representatives of international and local organizations, working on children’s rights.
The welcome speech was also delivered by the First Lady of Georgia, Mrs. Maka Chichua who has thanked the President for this initiative.
"I have been very actively involved in this issue for several years; I constantly study and know many things that we need to do to overcome children’s problems. I will overcome these problems only with you. We must fight to ensure that we take serious, solid, and satisfactory steps. We will only manage this through the involvement of the government and the active participation of those institutions that need to be more engaged, namely the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs, and each of us”, - stated Mrs. Chichua.
As she further noted, the forum aims to identify all problems and to discover ways of resolving them. Today the working groups will be established that will work on the above mentioned problems.
At the forum, the issues, recognized through practice and research in the field of child welfare were discussed, such as – deinstitutionalization of child care system, alternative systems of care, the services for children outside the government plan, the services of child protection, custody and care, exploitation of homeless children, violations against children, children left outside the education system, child labor, the support systems for children with disabilities and their parents.
The opening was also attended by the Head of the Administration of the President of Georgia Mr. Giorgi Abashishvili, the Secretary of the National Security Council Mr. Davit Rakviashvili, and advisors to the President.

The President of Georgia calls to Georgian Parliament to enhance supervisory function on Gazprom agreement and present the plan, how the risks and threats will be minimized.
According to Giorgi Margvelashvili, additional political risks on energy security we may receive. The President of Georgia believes that energy sector and economical interests was worsened. 

The President of Georgia, H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili has held a meeting with the Director of Frankfurt Book Fair, Mr. Jürgen Boos, the Vice-President of International Markets, Mr. Tobias Voss, and the Head of Guest of Honor Program, Mrs. Simone Bühler, as a part of their official visit to Tbilisi. 
The parties have discussed the preparatory works and the future plans of Georgia, having the status of the Guest of Honor in the coming Frankfurt Book Fair.
The President has stressed the importance of Frankfurt Book Fair for Georgia and noted that Georgia should be properly represented in this international event, promoting literature and in general, Georgian culture.
As noted by German guests, Georgia is invited to Frankfurt Book Fair as Georgian literature is well-known for its high quality.
The meeting with the representatives of Frankfurt Book Fair was also attended by the Head of the Administration of the President of Georgia Mr. Giorgi Abashishvili, the Advisor to the President for Foreign Affairs Mr. Tengiz Pkhaladze, the Advisor to the President in Ethnic Minority Issues Mrs. Sopio Shamanidi, and the Director of Georgian National Book Center Mrs. Medea Metreveli.

The President of Georgia, H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili has hosted EU-Georgia Association Parliamentary Committee Delegation. At the meeting the delegation members have expressed their support of Georgia in implementing the Association Agenda.
At the meeting the development of the free-trade agreement was discussed and the benefits that the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (DCFTA) brings to Georgia were analyzed.
The delegation members have expressed hope that the Visa liberalization process for Georgia will soon be completed.
The parties have also discussed the current situation in the occupied territories of Georgia and the cases of human rights violation in these regions.
The EU - Georgia Association Parliamentary Committee Delegation has thanked the President for showing his solidarity for the tragedy of Berlin.

The President of Georgia, H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili has held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Mr. Vladimir Makei.
At the meeting the parties have discussed Georgia-Belarus relations and the prospects of further strengthening cooperation. The importance of strengthening economic and trade cooperation between the two countries was also highlighted.
The President has congratulated Mr. Makei on the occasion of opening the Embassy of Belarus in Georgia. President Margvelashvili has further underscored the significance of deepening relations between the two countries and the existence of the diplomatic corps of Belarus, accredited in Georgia.
The conversation has also touched upon the prospective visit of President Margvelashvili in Belarus, scheduled for the next year.
The parties have also discussed the recent regional situation and the President informed Mr. Makei about the recent developments in the occupied regions of Georgia. In turn, Mr. Makei has once again affirmed his support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The meeting was also attended by the Head of the Administration of the President of Georgia Mr. Giorgi Abashishvili, the Secretary of the National Council Mr. Davit Rakviashvili, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mr. Mikheil Janelidze, the Secretary of the President for Foreign Affairs Mr. Tengiz Pkhaladze, the Political Secretary of the President Mrs. Pikria Chikhradze, and the members of Mr. Makei’s delegation.
Mr. Makei has visited Georgia on December 20, as a part of the two-day official visit. As a part of his visit, the official opening ceremony of the Embassy of Belarus to Georgia will also be held.

As a part of the working visit to Paris, the President of Georgia, H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili has held a meeting with the President of NDI, Mr. Kenneth Wollack.
The discussion at the meeting was mainly focused on the development of open government in Georgia, the country’s successful achievements, and implemented reforms, related to Georgia’s democratic development and civil engagement in this process.
The conversation at the meeting has also touched upon the prospects of strengthening international community relations.

As a part of the working visit to Paris, the President of Georgia, H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili has met with the President of the National Assembly of France, Mr. Claude Bartolone.
In honor of President Margvelashvili, the official welcoming ceremony was held at the National Assembly. At the meeting, attended by the members of Georgian delegation, including the members of the legislative branch, the Secretary of the National Security Council, the Head of the Administration of the President, and the advisors to the President, the prospects of strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations between Georgia and France was the main talking point.
According to President Margvelashvili, Georgia appreciates France’s support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the non-recognition policy of its occupied territories, and the UN resolution, recognizing the right of return for refugees and internally displaced persons in Georgia. As the President pointed out, Georgia and France share long-term historical and cultural relations and the significant experience in cooperation. Ancient ties between our peoples grant us responsibility to further strengthen cooperation between our countries. In this regard, it is crucial to intensify bilateral visits and to enhance cooperation formats.
“Georgia has a unique geopolitical role, as it strives to become the regional hub between Europe and Asia which will contribute to strengthening political, trade-economic, and cultural ties between the two continents. Considering these geopolitical challenges, Georgia has a significant role in the regional security of the Black Sea. Regional stability is directly related to the welfare of the entire Europe. The importance of Georgia, as the transit country, is further increased through its involvement in regional projects”, - stated the President.
At the meeting, the parties have also discussed the Visa-free travel for Georgia citizens. According to the President, Visa liberalization is the main issue raised on the EU-Georgia bilateral agenda. Georgia welcomes the decision concerning the termination of the suspension mechanism and hopes for the timely and successful completion of the process.
As the President noted, Georgia is an important partner for the European Union in the area of defense. Georgia, together with French partners, successfully participates in the EU missions in the Central African Republic, where Georgia serves as the second major contributor. Georgia appreciates France’s involvement in the area of defense and looks forward to further enhance cooperation with French partners. 
The conversation has also touched upon Georgia’s integration with NATO.
"We appreciate the involvement of our partners in the effective implementation of the substantial NATO-Georgia package. We grant special importance to the statement made by our partners at Warsaw Summit, according to which Georgia possesses all practical tools to join NATO", - stated the President.
At the meeting the parties have also discussed the prospects of strengthening parliamentary relations.

The President of Georgia, H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili has evaluated the ongoing Visa liberalization process of Georgia and stated that even though the suspension mechanism was not entirely related to Georgia, it was the main obstacle delaying the process of obtaining Visa free travel right.
“Currently, as a result of Georgia’s efforts and active involvement of our partner countries, this obstacle has been overcome. After overcoming this obstacle, practically, no other difficulties exist delaying this process. We assume that the decision will be made in the nearest future”, - stated the President.