Tbilisi – Co-operation between Georgia and Greece is of strategic importance – Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias said at a joint press conference after his meeting with Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze. According to Nikos Kotzias, Greece welcomes Georgia’s integration with the EU. The Greek Foreign Minister congratulated Georgia on the decision granting Georgian citizens visa-free travel with the EU. The Greek Foreign Minister reaffirmed his Government’s firm support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Foreign Minister of the Hellenic Republic arrived for the first time for his official visit in Georgia. He is due to hold meetings with representatives of the executive and legislative branches of the government.

On the sidelines of the 34th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze held a meeting with United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein. Mikheil Janelidze thanked the High Commissioner for his principled stance regarding the protection of human rights in Georgia’s occupied territories and for his appearance before the Human Rights Council in September 2016 where he spoke about the necessity of establishing the international monitoring mechanism in the occupied territories. The sides spoke about the illegitimacy of holding a referendum on renaming the Tskhinvali region as the Republic of South Ossetia. They also focused on the possible closure of the so-called checkpoints along the occupation line in Abkhazia, which will further aggravate the already difficult humanitarian situation and represents a further step taken by Russia towards annexation of Georgia’s regions. The Georgian Foreign Minister paid special attention to the Georgian government’s peace policy and to confidence-building measures between the war-torn communities. The importance of the international community’s active support was also highlighted. The High Commissioner thanked Georgia for constructive co-operation in the area of human rights and pledged to continue to further uphold Georgia’s interests in this regard. He highly appraised Georgia’s reforms in the area of human rights protection and democratic development. The Georgian Foreign Minister invited Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein to Georgia.

Within the framework of his visit to Geneva, Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze met the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter. The Ministers spoke about the successful co-operation in the bilateral format, as well as within the international organizations. The Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs congratulated his Georgian counterpart on the EU Council’s decision of 17 February 2017 to grant Georgia visa-free travel with Europe. For his part, Mikheil Janelidze reaffirmed Georgia’s European aspirations and the Government’s intention to get closer to the EU in terms of institutional development and standards. While on the theme of bilateral relations, the Ministers noted with satisfaction the remarkable bilateral relations between Georgia and Switzerland providing the solid groundwork for developing co-operation in various areas. Special note was taken of importance of concluding the Agreement between Georgia and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Discussions also focused on the possibility of the Swiss President’s visit to Georgia in 2017. The sides discussed the security environment in the region. Mikheil Janelidze thanked the Swiss side for Switzerland’s mediation efforts in Georgia’s relations with Russia. The Ministers spoke about the security, humanitarian and human rights situation in Georgia’s occupied territories. The Georgian Foreign Minister paid special attention to the Georgian government’s peace policy and to the necessity of peacefully resolving the conflict, through the active support of the international community.

Geneva – Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze appeared before the 34th session of the UN Human Rights Council. The Minister spoke about the important progress Georgia has achieved in terms of human rights protection over the past few years. He also focused on the Government’s human rights action plan and initiatives. The importance of involving the civil society in these processes was also highlighted. Mikheil Janelidze thanked the High Commissioner for Human Rights for bringing to the attention of the Council the alarming situation in Georgia’s occupied regions at the last session. According to him, Despite the Georgian government’s efforts, the humanitarian and human rights situation in both occupied regions of Georgia remains of grave concern, “especially when no international monitoring mechanisms, including the UN human rights machinery, are allowed to the regions” – the Minister said. The Minister said that the illegally erected razor wires and other artificial obstacles along the occupation line continue to affect the everyday life of the local population. “These disruptive steps are directed against the Georgian government’s policy of engagement and aim at the full isolation of the occupied regions from the international community. We firmly pursue the engagement, confidence building and reconciliation process with the population living in the occupied territories and stand ready to share all benefits of the policies and reforms introduced by the Government of Georgia” – Mikheil Janelidze said calling on the international community, and the UN Human Rights Council, in particular, for resolute action. According to the Minister, compatriots living in the occupied territories are an integral part of Georgia’s history and future, despite the current artificial barriers. “There will be a day when IDPs and refugees - victims of the several waves of ethnic cleansing - will return in safe and dignified manner to their homes and fully re-integrate with their brothers and sisters, creating a vibrant society where human rights and individual freedoms as well as cultural and linguistic diversity are top priorities” – he added. The 34th session of the UN Human Rights Council is held in Geneva on 27 and 28 February. The Georgian Foreign Minister met the Swiss Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs the U.N. and the High Commissioner for Refugees. Within the framework of his visit, Mikheil Janelidze also holds bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of various countries.

Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze held a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Georgia Abas Talebi Far who completed his term of office in Georgia. 
The sides discussed issues on the agenda of bilateral relations between Georgia and Iran and plans for the development of co-operation. Special mention was made of the increasing dynamic of interaction in various areas and the Ambassador’s special role in this process.
On behalf of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif, the Ambassador thanked Mikheil Janelidze for his participation in the event held in connection with the passing away of the former President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. 
The Georgian Foreign Minister thanked the Ambassador for his contribution to the strengthening of relations between the two countries and wished him success in his further activities.
 

The impact of political and infrastructural investments under the New Silk Road on economic growth and harmonization between Europe and Asia was the issue discussed today at the Silk Road Effect Session of the World Economic Forum in Davos. The Prime Minister of Georgia addressed the participants of the session.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili emphasized the importance of Georgia's engagement in the One Belt-One Road project initiative by the President of China. The project, according to the Prime Minister, is a great opportunity for ensuring development in its participant states.
"It is a network of different alternatives, and each of them is important to growth healthy and have healthy economy in Eurasia. This is about competition and cooperation at the same time. It is more about cooperation, however. As mentioned by President Aliyev, the Silk Road brings enormous opportunities, but there are certain prerequisites in order to get the most of it in order to leverage on the existing potential. First of all, it is, of course, infrastructure. Second is stability across countries. This is about cooperation, cross-border procedures, and unification of tariff systems. Of course, this is about political cooperation and has multifold dimensions," the Prime Minister stated.
According to the Prime Minister, Georgia has already signed cooperation agreements with its partner states. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad project is nearing completion, being an important part of the Silk Road going through Georgia to Azerbaijan and Turkey.
In his speech, Giorgi Kvirikashvili emphasized the importance of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port project.
"We are launching the construction of one of the largest ports on the Black Sea, which is the Anaklia Seaport. We already have a winning consortium, a Georgian-American consortium, and they are looking for port operators in the region. We are modernizing our railway, increasing the speed of our railway. We are investing a lot in the road infrastructure. Of course, we are cooperating with other countries across the Silk Road. We already signed a cooperation agreement with China. We have completed free trade negotiations with China, and we will sign the free trade agreement in the nearest future. In a nutshell, the Silk Road is about borderless cooperation. It is very important to mention that this economy is not only about transportation. This is about manufacturing cooperation and logistics," the Prime Minister said.The session, which was dedicated to the opportunities offered by the New Silk Road, was attended by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj.As usual, the Davos Forum hosts heads of states and governments, global business leaders, scientists, economists, and political scientists. The slogan of this year's forum is Responsible Leadership. Global political leaders and almost 1,000 large companies and organizations are participating in the forum. The Georgian delegation led by Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili consists of Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Gakharia, Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze, and Head of Georgia's Co-Investment Fund Giorgi Bachiashvili.

Newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Georgia Dursin Hasanov presented copies of his credentials to Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze. 
Following the ceremony, the sides noted with satisfaction the friendly and partner relations between the two countries highlighting the regional and people-to-people contacts. Discussions also focused on important issues on the agenda of relations between the two countries.
The Georgian Foreign Minister congratulated the Azerbaijani diplomat on his appointment as Ambassador to Georgia and wished him success in his future activities. Dursin Hasanov reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s support for Georgia and expressed his readiness to contribute to deepening co-operation between the two countries in various areas.

Within the framework of his working visit to Lithuania, Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze held a meeting with the newly appointed Speaker of the Seimas Viktoras Pranckietis. 
The sides spoke about the close co-operation between the two countries. The Georgian Foreign Minister thanked the Lithuanian side for its strong support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for its European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Special mention was made of the Seimas’s resolutions in support for Georgia’s visa liberalization. Mikheil Janelidze welcomed Viktoras Pranckietis’ upcoming visit who is due to arrive in Georgia together with the speakers of the NB8 countries.
The sides highly apprised Lithuania’s assistance to Georgia within the framework of the Development Cooperation Programme.
Discussions focused on the ways to deepen co-operation in the areas of culture, education and people-to-people contacts.  
The Georgian Foreign Minister expressed his solidarity with the Day of the Defenders of Freedom, which is marked in commemoration of tragic events that took place in Vilnius, on 13 January 1991.  
Georgian Foreign Minister paid a visit to the Republic of Lithuania on 12 January to take part in the annual winter conference „Snow Meeting 2017”.

On 12 and 13 January, Georgian Foreign Minister paid a visit to the Republic of Lithuania. Within the framework of the visit, the Georgian Foreign Minister will take part in the annual winter conference „Snow Meeting 2017”.
On the sidelines of the conference, Mikheil Janelidze will appear at a session dealing with Trans-Atlantic relations. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius will welcome the participants of the session.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Sven Mikser,  Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs and Deputy Secretary General of NATO Alexander Vershbow will also deliver their remarks during the session.
On the first day of the visit, Mikheil Janelidze will meet the Speaker of the Seimas Viktoras Pranckietis.
 Within the framework of the conference two working meetings in the format of discussions will be held dedicated to the Warsaw Summit decisions and NATO-EU co-operation.
The Georgian delegation led by Mikheil Janelidze will attend the working dinner on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius.

The Georgian Foreign Minister held a meeting with Vice Speaker of the Parliament of Turkey Ahmet Aydın and other representatives of the Grand National Assembly .
The sides discussed issues relating to bilateral co-operation between Georgia and Turkey highlighting the special importance of further deepening inter-parliamentary co-operation and relations between parliamentary friendship groups. The Georgian side, in this context, expressed his gratitude for the adoption of the statement supporting Georgia’s integration with NATO by the Foreign Relations Committee of the Turkish Parliament prior to the NATO Warsaw Summit.
The Georgian delegation noted with satisfaction that Turkey is one of Georgia's largest trading partners emphasizing the importance of participation of the two countries’ legislators in the trade-economic development of the two countries.
The sides paid special attention to the trilateral format of Georgia-Azerbaijan-Turkey co-operation highlighting the importance of concluding the first stage of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project and implementing the Southern Corridor energy projects.
The Turkish side reaffirmed Ankara’s firm support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. 
Following the meeting, Mikheil Janelidze accompanied by the Vice Speaker of the Turkish Parliament made a tour of the parliament building damaged as a result of the failed military coup and laid a wreath of flowers at the memorial.