L. Davitashvili noted that it is very important, in general, that Congress expresses clear support for the deepening of cooperation with Georgia
“During the meeting with our fellow congressmen in the US Congress, we received a very clear support for Georgia. We thank the Congressmen for their bipartisan support, which is expressed in the Georgia Support Act. According to the administration of the Ministry of Economics, clear political support is especially important in a difficult situation in the region, where we are talking about the US Congress and Congressmen supporting Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty in all formats,” – Deputy Prime Minister Levan Davitashvili stated after the meeting with Congressmen Darren Soto and Brendan Boyle. The meetings was held within the framework of the Vice Prime Minister’s working visit to the United States. Ambassador of Georgia to the United States, Davit Zalkaliani also participated in the meeting.
The meetings with the congressmen focused on the current events in the Black Sea region, as well as the challenges and ways of their overcoming. It was noted that the United States continues to support Georgia in its EU and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
Georgia is interested in moving its strategic partnership with the United States to a new level, which is one of the main priorities of the country’s foreign policy. In this regard, the importance of deepening economic relations between the two countries as well as developing trade and investment ties, including the possibility of concluding a Free Trade Agreement with the United States, was stressed. It was also noted that the launching of direct flights between Georgia and the United States will help to further deepen bilateral economic relations.
Levan Davitashvili noted that it is very important, in general, that Congress expresses clear support for the deepening of cooperation with Georgia, and this is a very clear message. According to him, there is a desire on the part of the Congressmen to implement more joint projects with Georgia.
Ilia Darchiashvili appointed new Foreign Minister
Ilia Darchiashvili, the former Head of the Government Administration, has been appointed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili announced on Monday.
Darchiashvili replaced David Zalkaliani who has been appointed Georgia’s Ambassador to the United States.
Ilia Darchiashvili served as Georgia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Poland, and as Ambassador-at-Large before that. He has years of experience in diplomatic work.
At different times, Ilia Darchiashvili served as First Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure, Executive Director of the Municipal Development Fund, while previously having been engaged in the private sector. Ilia Darchiashvili is a graduate of Tbilisi Ivane Javakhishvili State University and a holder of a master’s degree in business administration from Grenoble Graduate School of Business, France.
Denmark condemns Proposed Tskhinvali referendum on joining Russia
It is unacceptable to discuss any referendum while Georgia’s territory is occupied by Russia – David Zalkaliani
“It is unacceptable to discuss any referendum while Georgia’s territory is occupied by Russia. No referendum will have any legal force amid the occupation, especially against the backdrop of hundreds of thousands of our citizens being expelled from their homes as a result of the ethnic cleansing and not being allowed to return” - the Georgian Vice Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, David Zalkaliani said at a joint briefing following his meeting with his Danish counterpart, Jeppe Kofod.
The Georgian Foreign Minister said that the Government will not allow Georgia to be dragged into provocations or the dire consequences of the 2008 Russo-Georgian War to repeat again.
Zalkaliani stressed that Georgia remains consistent with and committed to its policy of peaceful de-occupation. “We will not use force to restore territorial integrity, this is our legal obligation, which the international community clearly supports” – he added.
According to Zalkaliani, Georgia remains committed to the engagement policy and is ready to share the benefits of EU integration with those Georgian citizens who live on the other side of the occupation line.
David Zalkaliani has hosted his Armenian counterpart
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, David Zalkaliani met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, who is paying a working visit to Tbilisi. The Ministers reviewed the current agenda of bilateral cooperation in various fields, as well as the situation in the region.
They positively assessed the dynamics of high-level contacts, which contribute to further rapprochement and expansion of trade and economic ties between the two countries. between the two countries. In this regard, the Ministers welcomed the regular nature of holding economic commissions between the countries. The conversation focused on the initiative of the Prime Minister of Georgia to ensure lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus.
David Zalkaliani briefed his Armenian counterpart on the dire humanitarian and security environment in the occupied regions of Georgia.
The sides drew attention to the fact that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Armenia and stressed the importance of this date.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia
David Zalkaliani has met with the newly appointed Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office for the South Caucasus
The sides discussed the difficult security environment in the region in the wake of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the challenges facing Georgia.
They stressed the need for Russia to fulfill its international obligations, including under the 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement. Discussions also focused on the Georgian Government’s policy and efforts to resolve the Russian-Georgian conflict peacefully.
The sides highlighted the difficult security, humanitarian and human rights situation in the occupied regions of Georgia and stressed the need for the active involvement of European and international partners.
Particular attention was paid to the ongoing Geneva International Discussions. Highlighting the need to use the format effectively, the sides also stressed the importance of restoring the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in Gali without any preconditions and of holding regular meetings in Ergneti.
At the end of the meeting, Viorel Moșanu confirmed that, in his capacity as Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus and Co-Chair of the Geneva International Discussions, he will spare no effort to ensure active and results-oriented engagement in the peaceful settlement of the conflict.
The EU council accepts applications submitted by the members of the "Associated Trio" regarding membership of Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova
The EU council accepts applications submitted by the members of the "Associated Trio" regarding membership of Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova. This was stated by Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani.
He also reported that, the applications have been transferred to the European Commission for further deliberation, kicking off the discussion about Georgia's accession.
During the meeting with David Zalkaliani, Kelly Degnan thanked the Georgian government for its support to Ukraine
The Vice Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Zalkaliani met with the U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, Kelly Degnan. The main topic of discussions was the ongoing war in Ukraine, the current security environment and the partners’ support of Ukraine. The U.S. Ambassador thanked the Government of Georgia, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs for their political and practical support for Ukraine. The Minister of Foreign Affairs once again affirmed the close coordination with the strategic partner in the light of the ongoing processes.
"I again received unwavering support from the United States, our main strategic partner, for Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration course, and the assessments that followed our statements of support for Ukraine are fully backed and shared by the United States," - he said.
"The United States welcomes Georgia's clear support for Ukraine," Kelly Degnan said after meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry. The American diplomat underlined the support of the Georgian government and people of Georgia for Ukraine, including the importance of the humanitarian aid sent to Ukraine, as well as the support the Ukrainians citizens in Georgia. "We should also mention the very generous donations by the Georgian people, business community and the government, and the humanitarian assistance, as well as the support to Ukrainian citizens, including those here, in Tbilisi, Georgia," Kelly Degnan said.
The U.S. Ambassador also welcomed the Georgian Foreign Ministry's clear support for Ukraine in both bilateral and multilateral formats:
"We strongly welcome the important statements made by Minister David Zalkaliani and the Foreign Ministry regarding Russia's aggression, as well as their clear support within the multilateral organizations like the UN, United Nations, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, where Georgia made very important statements of support for the Ukrainian people."
MFA Georgia
We express solidarity and strong support to the brotherly Ukrainian people in the fight for freedom, we will always stand by you - David Zalkaliani
"We once again express our solidarity and strong support to the brotherly Ukrainian people in the fight for freedom. We are always by your side, because we know the value of freedom and the fight for it" – the Vice Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, David Zalkaliani said when speaking before the audience gathered to mark Ukraine’s Unity Day at the Embassy of Ukraine. Administration of the MFA Georgia announced it recently.
According to David Zalkaliani, recent developments have shown that the world today faces significant challenges, especially when it comes to violating territorial integrity and sovereignty. As the Minister highlighted, Georgia became target of Russian aggression in 2008, and this was followed by the recognition of Georgia’s regions as independent states and the occupation of 20 percent of its territories. As a result, hundreds of thousands of people became refugees in their own country.
"Our brotherly nation - Ukraine is going through the same ordeal today. The Russian Duma’s decision to recognize Donetsk and Lugansk is alarming. Georgia condemns this action” - Georgia's first diplomat pointed out.
According to the Foreign Minister, the foregoing poses a threat not only to Georgia and Ukraine, but also to the entire European architecture. "No one has the right to forbid sovereign nations to choose their own path of development, friends and alliances. We are confident that we will continue to work with our brotherly Ukrainian people to realize the historic choice they have deserved. "- said the Vice Prime Minister of Georgia.
According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, this day should be a day of unity not only for Ukraine, but also for the whole of progressive society.
David Zalkaliani has spoken over the phone with his Ukrainian counterpart
The Vice Prime Minister of Georgia/Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA), David Zalkaliani spoke over the phone with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, on 24 January 2022.
David Zalkaliani reaffirmed Georgia's unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and expressed his strong support for the country facing the difficult situation. The Georgian Foreign Minister also highlighted that Georgia and Ukraine are dealing with the same challenges caused by the occupation.
The sides exchanged information on the ongoing processes and the developments along the Ukrainian border. They also talked about communication with high level representatives of Ukraine and Georgia, in parallel to the western partners’ ongoing dialogue with Russia.
In this light, the sides positively assessed the international partners’ support and their unequivocal position that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and Ukraine, as well as the sovereign right of the two countries to choose for themselves their own future and decide whether they will pursue or not European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations are the red lines, which will not be crossed in the negotiation process, and that there will be no decision about Georgia and Ukraine without Georgia and Ukraine.
During the telephone conversation, the sides highlighted the international platforms and close bilateral communication between Georgia and Ukraine. The ministers agreed to continue high-level contacts by exchanging information and sharing their positions on the ongoing processes.
MFA Georgia