The dignity of Georgia has always been and still is that we have always stood by our principles and have stood, where Georgia should have!

No one expects us to take measures that would endanger the country, however, everyone expects solidarity from us – you are expecting it, so am I. This is why I am in Paris today and will be visiting Brussels tomorrow – to express Georgian solidarity to Ukraine. 

At a time, when all of Europe is united, we too have to become part of this unity. Today, a new window opens, where Europeans are ready to look differently at the future of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. We have to be here and want everyone to remember (and this is why I am here) that Georgia, like Ukraine, is one of those countries that tomorrow will be part of Europe, of the Europe that today has showed its dignity with its unity and its active support for Ukraine. 

Today, we are all grateful to Ukraine that is fighting for our freedom and we don’t want a different image of Georgia on the international arena. 

We are the country that has historically always been faithful to its principles.

Statement by the President of Georgia

The process of national accord initiated by the President is a complex and difficult process that is both open and transparent and in no way secretive. In recent days, various information has been spread, the source of which is not the Administration of the President.

At the beginning stage of the national accord process, the President is listening to everyone and holding meetings and is interested in the views, initiatives and positions of various societal groups, all of which are part of the greater national accord process.

It should be noted that not only political parties but also the public at large, including representatives of non-governmental organizations working on victims’ issues, are involved in this process.

The President has already held meetings with the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, former President Giorgi Margvelashvili and representatives of political parties. The process continues and the President continues to hold active meetings.

The U.S. Embassy was proud to support the USA Water Polo men’s team in their game against Georgia - the ever-gracious tournament host. While the U.S. and Georgia are close strategic partners, in the sports arena the competition was fierce and we congratulate the American team on its hard fought victory.

US Ambassador Kelly Degnan and President Zourabichvili attended the game to cheer on the players and presented awards to the most valuable player from each side. Ambassador Degnan awarded Max Irving MVP from the U.S. team. The Embassy wishes both teams success in the tournament ahead.

Statement by the US Embassy in Tbilisi

On 11 June 2021, Presidents of Georgia and the Republic of Lithuania, Salome Zurabishvili and Gitanas Nauseda, signed the Joint Declaration in support for Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

In the document the Presidents acknowledged the special relationship between Georgia and the Republic of Lithuania, stressed the necessity of de-occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia and implementation of the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement by the Russian Federation, emphasized the necessity of peaceful resolution of Russia-Georgia conflict based on the fundamental principles of international law, stressing the necessity of safe and dignified return of IDPs and refugees, expelled as a result of ethnic cleansing to their homes.

MFA Georgia

The Georgian political parties signed A way ahead for Georgia, a compromise document submitted to the parties by the European Council President Charles Michel, at the Orbeliani Palace on April 19.

Davit Bakradze, Aleko Elisashvili, Badri Japaridze, Zurab Japaridze, Mamuka Khazaradze, Vakhtang Megrelishvili, Shalva Papuashvili, Salome Samadashvili, Khatuna Samnidze, Archil Talakvadze, and Giorgi Vashadze have signed the document.

Khatuna Samnidze, Davit Bakradze and Salome Samadashvili have made signatures individually, as the bloc National Movement – Strength in Unity and the European Georgia party did not join the compromise paper.

The EU and US Ambassadors Carl Hartzell and Kelly Degnan attended the signing ceremony. European Council President Charles Michel joined the event virtually.

President Michel presented a new document to the political parties on April 18. According to a new document, if the ruling party wins less than 43 per cent of electoral support in local polls, early parliamentary elections will be called in 2022.

President Salome Zourabichvili and H.E. Armen Sarkissian, President of the Republic of Armenia, held a face-to-face meeting, followed by an expanded format meeting, after which they issued statements at a joint press point. Below is President Zourabichvili’s statement.

“Mr. President, I am glad to host you in our country. This visit was planned long ago and unfortunately could not be carried out. The pandemic and the conflict in the region have greatly hindered us and we have not been able to organize this visit so far, so I am very happy to have the opportunity to receive you today at the Orbeliani Palace.

“Since our last meeting, we have faced very difficult challenges in the Caucasus.

“On the one hand, the pandemic affected the economies of all three countries, shutting down the world and claiming human lives. However, the casualties caused by the war were much greater for the region and the individual country. I would like to express my condolences and sympathies to the families of those killed during this war, Mr. President.

“As it was during the conflict, Georgia is on the side of peace. As a sign of this, our offer for a platform for meetings, dialogue and to ease the situation remains in place.

“I briefed the President of Armenia, Mr. Sarkissian, on the situation in the occupied territories of Georgia, including illegal borderization, kidnappings, human rights abuses, and the aggravated humanitarian situation and escalations during the pandemic.

“We all understand that any conflict in the region affects the whole region, so peace and cooperation have no alternative for the development of the Caucasus.

“Given the importance of stability in the region, we also discussed the alarming situation in Ukraine. The Black Sea region (and not only) is threatened with escalation and destabilization. We understand how important de-escalation is today for this region as well.

“We discussed the unique future economic potential of our region, with increased interest from various external actors, new plans or platforms. All this proves the great importance of this region. However, the role of the Caucasus countries remains crucial. The countries of the Caucasus must jointly define their future, considering the Caucasus in terms of its transit and other potential, I see it only as an open region.

“The implementation of large-scale projects to bring Asia and Europe across the Caucasus and the Black Sea requires the active participation of the EU, one of the main players, together with everyone and other stakeholders.

“It is important for the EU to be involved in the final settlement of the conflict, as well as in the implementation of following infrastructure plans within the Eastern Partnership.

“We also talked about our bilateral relations to strengthen and implement economic, touristic, and cultural projects.

“We are also proud of the fact that the Georgian citizens of Armenian origin have all the means to preserve the language and culture of their ancestors in this country. At the same time, more needs to be done, mainly by the State, so that they can fully master the state language and thus be able to integrate fully and participate in the economic or political development of the country.

“I am very happy with your visit today. We also discussed some of the initiatives that can be taken at our level, how to encourage business actors to start thinking and working together on specific projects. This will arouse the interest of investors not only for each country but also collectively, as such a format may be much more attractive.

“We started discussing this today, which will continue and which we will give a specific form. I have high hopes for this.

“Thank you very much, Mr. President, for your visit, and I am happy that such a close, friendly relationship has been and will be maintained over time!”

The President of the Republic of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian, arrived today in the Georgian capital Tbilisi with an official visit.

Georgian presidential administration reports that Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaliani, Head of Presidential Administration Natia Sulava, and Georgian Ambassador to Armenia Giorgi Saganelidze welcomed Armenian President at the Tbilisi International Airport.

The official welcoming ceremony of Armenian President Armen Sarkissian and his spouse Nune Sarkissian will be held at the Orbeliani Palace.

Georgian and Armenian Presidents will have face-to-face and expanded meetings and make a joint statement for the media. Georgian Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze will also meet the Armenian President.

Armen Sarkissian plans to tour the Armenian Cathedral within the framework of his official visit.

The President of the Republic of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian, will pay an official visit to Georgia tomorrow, on April 15, Georgian presidential administration reports.

The official welcoming ceremony of Armenian President Armen Sarkissian and his spouse Nune Sarkissian will be held at the Orbeliani Palace.

Georgian president Salome Zurabishvili and Armenian President will have face-to-face and expanded meetings and make a joint statement for the media. Georgian Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze will also meet the Armenian President.

Armen Sarkissian plans to tour the Armenian Cathedral within the framework of his official visit.

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.

The President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, has named the 2020 parliamentary election date – October 31.

The president addressed society: “I urge you to spend this period, these two months until election day, as peacefully as possible.” “In current circumstances, when we underwent COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to prepare very calmly for the elections.

This election has a special meaning! We will reaffirm our country’s democracy,” stressed the President. "30 years ago, on October 28, 1990, Georgia held democratic elections even then. We must continue this tradition, strengthen it, and present ourselves to the world as an extremely democratic country. We can do it!”, Said Salome Zurabishvili.