Let me introduce today a new Minister of Education and Science of Georgia – Giorgi Amilakhvari. He has acquired a very good education and is a very successful individual. It was announced by Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia at a media briefing held within the Government Administration today.

The Economic Council’s meeting, led by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, was held today at the Government Administration.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili hosted a formal dinner in honor of the EU delegation members currently visiting Georgia.

The official dinner honoring the diplomats was held at Mtatsminda. The Head of Government and the European diplomats discussed Georgia’s European integration in an informal setting.

The high-level regional ambassadorial of the EU is held periodically and represents an important forum for discussing the EU’s policy toward concrete countries.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with Zhanna Andreasyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia.

The meeting at the Government Administration was attended by Minister of Education and Science Mikheil Chkhenkeli and Armenia’s Ambassador to Georgia Ashot Smbatyan.

Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia met Dimitrios Karabalis, new Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia today.

The Head of Government of Georgia congratulated the diplomat on his appointment at the introductory meeting and wished every success in his future endeavors.

Role of the monitoring mission, as one of the international mechanisms existing on the ground, was highlighted in ensuring regional security and peace.

Discussion was also related to the security environment and challenges faced within the region and around the world.

Meeting was attended by Revaz Javelidze, Head of Government Administration.

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.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with Irene Fellin, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security.

The conversation at the meeting held at the Government Administration focused on NATO’s open door policy and Georgia’s integration into the North Atlantic Alliance. It was noted that Georgia has always been one of NATO’s most reliable and effective partners with a tremendous contribution to common Euro-Atlantic security.

As the Prime Minister pointed out, in many ways Georgia acts as an Ally, and it is commendable that the Allies have decided to provide Georgia with tailored support measures, which will help further strengthen Georgia’s defense capabilities.

The regional and global security environment and challenges were also discussed. Emphasis was placed on Georgia’s considerable role in cementing security in the Black Sea region.

The discussed topics included the 2nd National Human Rights Strategy approved by the Georgian Government in 2022 and covering the years 2022-2030. It was noted that the strategy dedicates a significant portion to gender equality and envisages constantly upgrading equality and non-discrimination legislation.

The conversation also touched on Georgia’s 2022-2024 National Action Plan for the Implementation of the UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security, and the Action Plan for Measures to Be Taken in 2022-2024 for Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence and Protecting Survivors. It was emphasized that both documents include concrete actions and seek to promote gender equality across a variety of areas.

The meeting was attended by Head of the NATO Liaison Office in Georgia Alexander Vinnikov and Georgia’s Ambassador to NATO Victor Dolidze.

Press Service of the Government Administration

Chaired by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, a Government meeting was held today at the Government Administration.

Georgia’s steps toward EU integration and the regional security environment were the key topics discussed between Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen at today’s meeting within the scope of the Munich Security Conference.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, together with a delegation, has departed for the Federal Republic of Germany where he will participate in the Munich Security Conference.