Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ilia Darchiashvili met the European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the sides spoke about Georgia’s EU integration process and the significance of the European Commission’s recommendation to the European Council to grant candidate status to the country.

The FM and EU Commissioner positively assessed Georgia-EU cooperation in the energy sphere, stressing Georgia’s role in ensuring the energy security of Europe with the Black Sea Submarine Electric Cable and other global energy projects that the country joined.

On November 7, 2023, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan in Georgia Mr. D.Seyitmammedov met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mr. I.Darchiashvili.

During the meeting, the sides discussed priority areas of Turkmen-Georgian cooperation and prospects for further interaction on a wide range of bilateral relations.

It was noted that, in recent years, Turkmen-Georgian relations have been successfully developing and strengthening on the bases of the principles of respect, trust and openness and are being built on a mutually beneficial and long-term basis.

The participants of the meeting also noted that the policy of Permanent Neutrality pursued by the President of Turkmenistan clearly demonstrates its relevance in the modern age, opening new prospects and opportunities for comprehensive progress, strengthening and expanding fruitful international cooperation.

During the meeting, the sides also discussed issues related to the organization of high-level bilateral visits as well holding regular political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries in Ashgabat in the near future.

The Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, H.E. Shalva Papuashvili held a meeting with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani.

Speaker Papuashvili thanked the North Macedonian politician for the visit and the support that OSCE renders to Georgia in this geopolitically complicated period.

The Speaker dwelt on the support of Georgia to Ukraine and the Russia-Ukraine war repercussions on the region.

Mr. Osmani expressed his gratitude for the active engagement of Georgia in the OSCE activity underlining that Georgia is a hub of regional initiatives and the support of diverse diplomacy.

The parties touched upon the grave situation in the occupied regions of Georgia and affirmed the importance of the uninterruptedness of the Geneva Talks. The progress of Georgia and North Macedonia at the EU integration path has been highlighted. As B. Osmani emphasized, North Macedonia has acquired significant experience at the long EU integration path and is committed to sharing it with Georgia.

The meeting was attended by MPs Nikoloz Samkharadze, Khatia Tsilosani, Tinatin Bokuchava and Ketevan Turazashvili.

On 10 and 11 April 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, will pay an official visit to Georgia in her capacity as the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.

Bujar Osman will be hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili. Following the meeting, the foreign ministers of the two countries will make a joint statement for the press.

Within the framework of the visit, the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili, the Chairman of the Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili and the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, Thea Akhvlediani will hold meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia. Bujar Osman will be received by the President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili.

As part of his visit to Georgia, the head of the Foreign Ministry of North Macedonia will visit the occupation line and get acquainted with the current situation on the ground.

On February 6, 2023, the regular 15th meeting of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Iranian Commission on Consular, Border and Customs Issues was held in the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. Heads and representatives of relevant ministries and law enforcement agencies of the two countries took part in its work.

The delegation of Turkmenistan at the meeting was headed by the Deputy Foreign Minister Vepa Hajiyev, the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Consular and Parliamentary Affairs, as well as for Iranian expatriates Alireza Bikdeli.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the implementation of the agreements reached at the 14th meeting of the intergovernmental commission, which was held in Tehran in January 2019. The parties exchanged views on the current state and prospects of bilateral relations and stressed the need for strict implementation of all agreements reached.

In particular, issues of improving the legal aspect of enhancing the mechanism of interaction in consular matters and in the field of information exchange between law enforcement agencies of the two countries, as well as expanding partnerships to establish effective management at border and customs checkpoints were considered.

Based on the results of the 15th meeting of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Iranian Commission on Consular, Border and Customs Issues, the final protocol was signed.

On February 6, 2023, a regular meeting of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, as well as heads and representatives of relevant ministries and departments of the country attended the meeting.

At the opening of the meeting, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov noted that during the current meeting the results of cooperation between Turkmenistan and UNESCO will be considered, tasks within the main areas of interaction will be defined and proposals for improving our work with the Organization will be considered.

It was informed about the inclusion to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of such Turkmen arts, as “The Art of Turkmen Embroidery”, “Traditions of Silk Production in Silk Weaving and Textile Industry”. Also for 2023, such primordial Turkmen art as “Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding and Traditions of Decorating Horses” was nominated for the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

One of the important areas of partnership with UNESCO is education. The meeting participants highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation with UNESCO in the field of education and science. The issues of opening the UNESCO Chairs in a number of universities of Turkmenistan, as well as the introduction of a number of general education schools in the country into the UNESCO Associated Schools network were discussed.

In connection with the celebration this year of the 30^th anniversary of cooperation between Turkmenistan and UNESCO, it was proposed to hold an International Conference in Ashgabat in December 2023 together with UNESCO Cluster Office in Tehran.

The meeting also considered and approved the Action Plan of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO for the year of 2023.

On 31 January 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili, held a meeting with the Vice Prime Minister for Reintegration of Moldova, Oleg Serebrian.
Discussions focused on the agenda of cooperation between the two countries. The sides noted the traditionally friendly relations between Georgia and Moldova and the important issues of cooperation, both in bilateral and multilateral formats.
The ministers once again confirmed the unwavering mutual support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the two countries.
Talking points included the implementation of the peace and reconciliation policy in the territories of the two countries. Ilia Darchiashvili drew special attention to the severe humanitarian and social situation in the occupied territories of Georgia.
The sides discussed the difficult security environment on the European continent. In this regard, the challenges facing the two countries and the ways to deal with them were highlighted.
Special attention was paid to the steps taken by Georgia and Moldova on the path of European integration.

MFA of Georgia

On 24 January 2023, a meeting was held between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili, and the Deputy Secretary General/Political Director of European External Action Service, Enrique Mora. He visited Tbilisi on 25 January  as part of the Georgia-EU high-level strategic dialogue on security issues.
Discussions focused on current issues and priority areas of the Georgia-EU cooperation agenda. The sides highlighted the historic decision of the 2022 European Council to recognize Georgia's European perspective, which formally opened the country's path to EU membership. Special attention was paid to the importance of strengthening the Black Sea connectivity between Georgia and the European Union and the role of Georgia in strengthening the energy security of the European Union.
At the meeting, special attention was paid to the security challenges and the risks, which, taking into account the current geopolitical background, are an acute problem in the region. The European Union once again emphasized its strong support for the territorial integrity of Georgia within the internationally recognized borders and its readiness to continue its active involvement, including the functioning of the monitoring mission, which is the only international mechanism on the ground. The parties also emphasized the importance of continuing joint efforts, which will contribute to the process of Georgia's accession to the European Union and ensure the strengthening of peace and stability in the region.

On January 9, 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran for Economic Diplomacy Mahdi Safari in the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan.

A wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres was discussed at the meeting.

The parties noted the importance of meetings at the highest and high levels in expanding bilateral friendly relations.

During the negotiations, the importance of the activities of the intergovernmental Turkmen-Iranian commission for economic cooperation was emphasized. The agenda also included issues of developing cooperation in the fuel and energy sector, building up transport and transit potential.

The diplomats paid attention to the upcoming joint events and meetings scheduled for this year.

At the end of the meeting, the sides reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the further course of strengthening the Turkmen-Iranian partnership, based on the age-old principles of friendship, good neighborliness and mutual respect.