"Prominent representatives of our diaspora make a special contribution to the establishment of sustainable relations between Georgia and Turkey" - Ilia Darchiashvili
"The scale of the Turkish-Georgian Business Forum clearly reflects the very special, friendly and strategic relations between the two countries - Georgia and the Republic of Turkey," Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili told participants of the Turkish-Georgian Business Forum "Chveneburebi".
The forum was held for the first time with the participation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia at the initiative of the Georgian Historical Diaspora living in the Republic of Turkey and the Association with Georgian and Turkish Businessmen. It should be noted that the Turkey-Georgia Business Forum, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, is the fourth large-scale event organized by Diaspora representatives to ensure their involvement in the country's economic reconstruction process.
According to Ilia Darchiashvili, this year, when the 30th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries is celebrated, the holding of a business forum gains special weight and somehow summarizes the achievements of Georgia and Turkey in developing mutually beneficial cooperation in a number of areas. According to Darchiashvili, it is important to hold this large-scale event with the country, which was one of the first to recognize Georgia's independence and today is one of the active supporters of our country in the international arena.
As the Minister emphasized, "the prominent representatives of our diaspora make a special contribution to the establishment of this wide range and sustainable relationship, because they are the ones who contribute to the establishment of strategic cooperation and the development of economic ties." In addition to being interested in economic projects, they, according to Darchiashvili, are carriers of the culture of the two countries, the values of the two countries and fulfill a special mission in terms of strengthening inter-people ties and popularizing our country.
"Georgian art houses, cultural-educational foundations, societies, creative unions operating in Turkey are a kind of bridge of relations with compatriots. "Chveneburebi interested in Georgia, Georgian language, alphabet, culture gather in Georgian cultural centers, celebrate holidays, celebrate the friendship and joint achievements of two brotherly nations!" - the Minister added.
According to him, the interest of Georgian businessmen working in Turkey in the investment environment and economic opportunities of Georgia is growing day by day. Therefore, it is important to regularly inform them about the current processes, reforms and economic trends in Georgia, which will allow them not only to implement interesting business projects, but also to act as a kind of "investment representatives" in relations with foreign partners.
"We are interested and will support the regular holding of such meetings, which will help our compatriots to discover new spaces, new opportunities and use the country for the better," Ilia Darchiashvili said.
The Turkish-Georgian Business Forum "Chveneburebi" was held in Georgia for the first time with the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and the initiative of the Georgian Diaspora living in the Republic of Turkey. The purpose of the business forum is to inform the representatives of the Turkish business community about the investment environment and economic opportunities in Georgia and to attract investments to Georgia with the support of the Georgian Diaspora living in Turkey. Representatives of the economic bloc, relevant state agencies and entrepreneurial spheres are participating in the forum from the Georgian side.
MFA of Georgia
The Deputy Foreign Minister has discussed with his Irish counterpart current issues relating to Georgia-EU relations
The sides highlighted the common values and interests, on which Georgia-Ireland relations are based, as well as the common vision of the sides on the strengthening of the rules-based international order.
Reviewing the current agenda of bilateral cooperation, the sides emphasized the importance of exchanging high-level visits in terms of further deepening cooperation and moving to a qualitatively newer level.
The conversation focused on the further development of trade-economic and sectoral cooperation. The opportunities in bilateral relations and the importance of its full use were mentioned. Emphasis was placed on the effective functioning of the Georgia-Ireland Business Council and the promotion of contacts between business circles. In this context, the focus was on visa facilitation with Ireland, which will have a significant impetus to deepen both interpersonal contacts and trade and economic ties.
One of the main issues of the meeting was Georgia's integration into the European Union and the main reforms carried out by the country within the framework of the Association Agreement. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia reviewed the current directions of Georgia-EU relations, the country's application for EU membership and the government's commitment to the European integration process and the irreversible course of reforms.
The sides positively assessed Georgia’s progress on the implementation of the Association Agreement. It was noted that the agreement creates a good ground for Georgia's integration into the EU in various fields.
During the meeting, the focus was on the situation in the region. The sides discussed the large-scale military aggression by Russia against Ukraine, which poses significant challenges to the idea of a united, free and peaceful Europe, and to the existing security architecture.
The Georgian and Irish delegations exchanged information on efforts to support Ukraine, both at the political and humanitarian level.
The Irish side reaffirmed its unconditional support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Deputy Secretary General noted that Ireland, as a small country, shares the challenges facing Georgia and will do its utmost to maintain the urgency of the issue on the international agenda.
Teimuraz Janjalia welcomed Ireland’s strong position and active support for Georgia amid the fragile environment created in the region.
The sides discussed current issues of multilateral cooperation. The Georgian side underlined the role of Ireland as a member of the UN Security Council and the chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
During the consultations, regional security challenges and current issues on the international agenda were also discussed.
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Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Von der Leyen back in Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian President
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has travelled to Kyiv today, meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
“Good to be back in Kyiv,” she tweeted. “I will take stock of the joint work needed for reconstruction and of the progress made by Ukraine on its European path.”
Speaking at a press point with the Ukrainian President, she said the EU and Ukraine were working together on a reconstruction platform to channel contributions, adding there was “huge interest from all over the world – NGOs, businesses, international institutions – to help Ukraine rise from the ashes.”
She added that the European Commission was currently preparing its recommendation for the EU member states – the so-called opinion – on Ukraine’s EU accession application. “We have been working day and night on this assessment. The discussions today will enable us to finalise our assessment by the end of next week,” she said, adding: “The path is known. It is a merit-based path forward. It is a path where I highly appreciate the enormous efforts and the determination of Ukraine in this process.”
It is the European Commission President’s second visit to Ukraine since the full-scale Russian invasion. On 8 April, Ursula von der Leyen travelled to Kyiv, launching Ukraine’s EU application process by handing the Ukrainian President the questionnaire that would form the starting point for the EU to decide on Ukraine’s membership.
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