"Three Seas Initiative: The right time and right place for the 3SI to be discussed in Georgia"
TEIMURAZ JANJALIA HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE SENIOR OFFICIAL MEETINGS (SOM) HELD IN BRUSSELS
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Teimuraz Janjalia participated in the Senior Official Meetings (SOM) held in Brussels, on 30 March 2023. The meeting was attended by representatives of the European Union External Action Service, the European Commission, the Member States of the European Union and the countries of the Eastern Partnership.
Within the framework of the meeting, the sides discussed the priorities in order to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Eastern Partnership; In this regard, the 2023 work plan of the "Eastern Partnership" was discussed. In addition, the sides spoke about the implementation process of the flagship projects developed within the framework of the Eastern Partnership economic and investment plan.
In his speech, the deputy minister emphasized the importance of effectively using all formats with the European Union, including the Eastern Partnership, which ensures even greater rapprochement with the European Union. Teimuraz Janjalia paid particular attention to the role of the Eastern Partnership economic and investment plan and the economic and political importance of the implementation of the flagship projects developed for Georgia within the plan. The deputy minister spoke about deepening cooperation with the European Union in the direction of connectivity, energy security and transport, as well as digital infrastructure. In this context, emphasis was placed on the need to fully exploit the potential of the Black Sea and future plans for the development of Black Sea infrastructure connecting the European Union and Georgia. In this context, Teimuraz Janjalia put forth the idea of holding a high-level seminar on connectivity issues in Tbilisi in 2023.
The deputy minister focused on the importance of strengthening strategic communications and combating disinformation within the framework of the Eastern Partnership, as well as deepening cooperation in the field of security.
TEIMURAZ JANJALIA HAS MET WITH THE LATVIAN AMBASSADOR TO GEORGIA
On 27 March 2023, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Teimuraz Janjalia, held a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to Georgia, Edite Mednes.
At the meeting, the sides reviewed the issues of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The importance of regular political dialogue, including the importance of exchanging high-level visits was also highlighted. Discussions focused on the process of Georgia's integration into the European Union. The Deputy Minister informed the Latvian Ambassador of the progress achieved by Georgia in the process of fulfilling the European Commission’s 12 recommendations. The Deputy Minister and the Latvian Ambassador also discussed other pressing issues on the agenda.
Teimuraz Janjalia has participated in the forum dedicated to joining the European Union
Speaking at the session - "EU candidate status for Ukraine and Moldova, potential candidate status for Georgia: the road to membership", the Deputy Minister highlighted that given the new geopolitical realities, it is important to develop new approaches and a new vision for the EU.
In this context, the need for more involvement and support from the EU was highlighted. Teimuraz Janjalia spoke about the irreversibility of Georgia's accession to the European Union and noted that the recognition of the European perspective brought the relations with the European Union to a completely newer level and opened up new opportunities for the country. The Deputy Minister focused on the importance of greater economic and sectoral integration with the European Union, which will support the country's progress on the path to accession and practically prepare it for this goal.
The deputy minister spoke about the importance of peace and stability in the region and emphasized the role of EU support in strengthening the country's resilience to hybrid threats.
Teimuraz Janjalia has met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania
On 18 October 2022, within the framework of his working visit to the Republic of Lithuania, the Georgian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Teimuraz Janjalia held a bilateral meeting with his Lithuanian counterpart, Deputy Foreign Minister, Egidijus Meilūnas.
Discussing issues relating to bilateral relations during the meeting, the deputy ministers took stock of the busy agenda of high-level visits. The sides noted the positive dynamics of cooperation in the fields of economy, tourism, defence and security. Emphasizing the importance of the regular exchange of bilateral visits, Teimuraz Janjalia expressed the hope that Georgia’s political dialogue with the Lithuanian side will continue and further deepen.
The sides discussed the security challenges facing the region against the backdrop of Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. The Lithuanian Deputy Minister was provided with detailed information about the current situation in the occupied territories of Georgia, the progress in the Geneva International Discussions and the peace policy of the Georgian government. Teimuraz Janjalia emphasized the importance of Lithuania’s traditionally strong support for Georgia in the current difficult and changing environment.
Speaking about the European integration of Georgia, Teimuraz Janjalia informed his Lithuanian colleague about the country’s current progress in terms of fulfilling the obligations under the Association Agenda and the European Union’s twelve recommendations.
At the end of the meeting, the Lithuanian side once again confirmed its unwavering support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for its European and Euro-Atlantic integration. The deputy ministers agreed to continue close cooperation.
Teimuraz Janjalia has participated in the Bled strategic forum
On 30 August 2022, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Teimuraz Janjalia, participated in the Bled Strategic Forum. International conference called "The Rule of Power or the Power of Rules" was held in in Bled, Slovenia.
The deputy minister made a speech at the panel organized within the framework of the forum dedicated to Europe’s Eastern neighborhood and its future ('Europe's Eastern Neighborhood: Knocking on the EU's door').
Teimuraz Janjalia drew attention to the common challenges facing the European Union and Georgia against the background of the complicated geopolitical situation in the region.
Along with Teimuraz Janjalia, the discussion panelists were also Maciej Popowski - Acting Director General of the European Commission's Directorate General for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Cristina Gerasimova - Head of the Administration of the President of Moldova and Senior Advisor to the President, and Steven Blockmans Director of Research at the Center for European Policy Studies (CEPS).
On the sidelines of the forum, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs held bilateral meetings with the Acting Director General of the General Directorate of Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission Maciej Popowski, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Velislava Petrova and experts working on the European Union, during which the conversation touched on the specific aspects of cooperation in terms of European integration of Georgia.
The Bled Strategic Forum has been held annually since 2006. The event is dedicated to current issues of European and global politics.
Teimuraz Janjalia has met with the Czech ambassador to Georgia
On 27 July 2022, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Teimuraz Janjalia held a meeting with the Czech Ambassador to Georgia, Petr Mikiska.
At the meeting with the deputy minister, the ambassador presented the program and priorities of the Czech presidency in the Council of the European Union. The program of the presidency includes strategic directions for the European Union, among which is the strengthening of engagement with our region and specifically with Georgia in all the key areas that ensure the country's further integration into the European Union.
During the meeting, the sides emphasized Georgia’s successful European integration process, which is in an intensive phase. The deputy minister provided the ambassador with detailed information on the multifaceted work that is going on in the country for fulfilling the recommendations of the European Commission.
The sides also discussed the geopolitical context in the region, Russia's military aggression in Ukraine and its impact on the countries of the region. They discussed Georgia’s role in defining alternative transport/energy routes and the need for greater involvement of the European Union in ensuring connectivity, including by fully exploiting the potential of the Black Sea.
The sides agreed to continue active cooperation on topics including high-level events planned within the framework of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union covers a six-month period from 1 July to 31 December 2022.
MFA of the 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.
Teimuraz Janjalia has met with the representatives of the Finnish parliamentary delegation
On 2 May, the Deputy Foreign Minister, Teimuraz Janjalia met with members of the Finnish parliamentary delegation headed by Matthias Martinen, Chairman of the Friendship Group with the Parliament of Georgia.
Highlighting the close, friendly Georgian-Finnish relations based on the common fight for independence and freedom of choice, as well as on the shared European values, the sides welcomed the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. They also noted with satisfaction the close inter-parliamentary ties and fruitful cooperation in the fight against hybrid threats.
The Deputy Minister spoke about the importance of maintaining political dialogue at a regular level. In this context, he emphasized the need to carry out planned high-level visits, to ensure a closer dialogue with European regional formats, including with the Nordic-Baltic Eight.
Reviewing the progress made by Georgia on the path of irreversible integration with the European Union, Teimuraz Janjalia noted Georgia's interest in ensuring deeper economic integration and sectoral cooperation with the European Union, including in the field of renewable energy and the environment.
The Deputy Foreign Minister briefed the Finnish side on Georgia's support for Ukraine, both in the humanitarian field and within international organizations by aligning with a number of resolutions or statements in support of Ukraine. He reaffirmed that Georgia will continue its unwavering support for the brotherly Ukrainian nation. Against the background of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Teimuraz Janjalia stressed the security challenges facing the region and the creeping occupation and the dire humanitarian situation in the occupied territories of Georgia. He noted the need for the international community’s greater involvement in ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region.
The Finnish MPs, in turn, focused on the ongoing debate on security policy in Finland, including in terms of the country’s possible membership in NATO. They emphasized the importance of ensuring close political dialogue in the light of changes affecting the European security architecture. They noted the importance of European countries’ unanimous position in the face of the Russia-Ukraine war and their strong support for Ukraine.
The Finnish side reaffirmed Finland's unwavering support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for the country's EU integration and the European Reform Agenda.
MFA of Georgia
Teimuraz Janjalia has held a meeting with State Secretaries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova
On 13 January 2022, an online-meeting was held between the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Teimuraz Janjalia and the State Secretaries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova, Ruslan Bolbocean and Vladimir Cuc.
The bilateral and multilateral relations between Georgia and Moldova, as well as prospects of their future development were discussed at the meeting. The parties underlined the importance of the 30th anniversary of our diplomatic relations in 2022, in light of which various events will take place in the two countries.
Both sides expressed readiness to intensify bilateral political dialogue, including the exchange of the high and the highest-level visits.
It was underlined that despite the pandemic, the positive trend of our trade-economic relations has been maintained. The parties outlined the significance of further deepening the existing cooperation in this domain, including in the field of tourism.
Particular emphasis was made on the direction of the European integration, including the existing successful interaction in frames of the Eastern Partnership, Associated Trio, and the sides stressed importance of strengthening sectoral cooperation and joint projects in this framework. Likewise, the parties underlined significance of one of our shared priority topics – connectivity, and in this respect, full utilization of the Black Sea resources was highly regarded by the colleagues.
Taking into account our common aspirations and interests, both sides underlined importance of intensification of the visits and high-level meetings with our partners in the format of the Associated Trio, through promoting existing, as well as new formats of dialogue.
At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed to maintain active interaction and promote the mutually beneficial future cooperation.
