Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who is on a two-day visit to Brussels, has met with EU officials earlier today.
Head of Georgian Mission to the EU Natalia Sabanadze wrote on Twitter that President Zurabishvili discussed 'a range of issues with the EU officials including 'COVID solidarity with partners, EU’s strategic role in the region, Eastern Partnership and Georgia’s path towards European integration'.
Zurabishvili has thanked the President of the European Council Charles Michel for the EU’s support to Georgia since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic noting that Georgia now seeks ‘that same solidarity’ to access the vaccines.
Thank you, @eucopresident.
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) January 21, 2021
The support we’ve received from the EU since the beginning of COVID proves that solidarity is the best way out of this global challenge.
We seek that same solidarity now that the world has access to vaccines. https://t.co/QnV5S1i9mL
During the meeting with President Zurabishvili EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell 'underlined the vital importance of Georgian political parties finding common ground on the current political situation'.
Georgia needs a fully functioning, representative parliament, enjoying the trust of the population to take resolute action for a speedy, inclusive, green and sustainable recovery from COVID-19 and to advance the wider reform agenda, including in the judiciary", the European External Action Service has reported.
Borrell and Zurabishvili discussed the security and humanitarian situation in Georgia's Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) as well, which 'remains of great concern with the populations deprived of freedom of movement and the subsequent negative impact on their livelihoods and access to healthcare'.
.@JosepBorrellF met today with the President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili and welcomed the progress made by ???????? Georgia in implementing commitments made under the EU-Georgia Association Agreement & its contribution to the Eastern Partnership. Read more:https://t.co/oSKK6WkD9o
— European External Action Service - EEAS ???????? (@eu_eeas) January 21, 2021
The High Representative has meanwhile reiterated the EU's 'full commitment to peaceful conflict resolution' in Georgia and its 'firm support' to the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
Interesting conversation with President of Georgia @Zourabichvili_S this morning about the situation in #Georgia and global challenges.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) January 21, 2021
The EU remains strongly committed to its partnership with Georgia and the region. https://t.co/BlhZV7PG5s pic.twitter.com/wMQDvQ17lv
Salome Zurabishvili has also tweeted after the meeting:
The security cooperation between Europe and Georgia makes us stronger.
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) January 21, 2021
What we need is more involvement from the EU in conflict resolution.
My thanks to @JosepBorrellF and the EU for extending the @EUMMGeorgia by another two years.
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As part of her visit to Brussels President Zurabishvili also discussed bilateral cooperation, regional situation and preparations for the cultural festival Europalia in 2023 with the King Philippe of Belgium.
At the Royal Palace of Belgium. Georgia and Belgium have a lot of opportunities to work together.
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) January 21, 2021
We must take these opportunities, be they economic or cultural, in our hands.
Very interesting to meet His Majesty Philippe, King of the Belgians. @MonarchieBe
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Tomorrow the Georgian President will meet with the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The meeting will be followed by their joint press briefing, NATO press office has earlier announced.