Georgian Foriegn Minister David Zalkaliani has stated that the upcoming visit of the European Council President Charles Michel later today is a ‘clear confirmation’ that the EU stands with Georgia as its ‘most important partner’ in the region.
FM Zalkaliani said Michel’s visit is especially important after the recent trip of the Vice-President of EU Commission Josep Borrell to Moscow.
The EU Council press office reported earlier this week that Michel will be holding meetings in the three Eastern Partnership countries - Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine - between February 28 and March 3.
TODAY @eucopresident @CharlesMichel is in Chișinău ????????
— EU Council Press (@EUCouncilPress) February 28, 2021
A press conference with president @sandumaiamd is scheduled at +/- 14:45 local time
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In Georgia Michel will meet President Salome Zurabishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili and Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze as well as opposition politicians. He will also visit the occupation line.
David Zalkaliani has meanwhile noted that this is Michel’s first visit to Georgia, which serves as ‘an important message’ in support of the country.
Increasing EU's involvement in the peaceful resolution of the conflict, as well as in ensuring security on the ground, which has an additional importance amid the new realities and circumstances in the region”, FM Zalkaliani said.
The EU and Georgian officials will also discuss the situation in the country amid the pandemic.
The EU has provided significant assistance to Georgia not only to curb Covid-19 but to also deal with its social and economic challenges. EU’s support and solidarity in the equal distribution of vaccines and reception of sufficient amount of vaccines is [also] important”, FM Zalkaliani added.
He further noted that the parties will also speak of the political developments in Georgia and the solution to the current deadlock.
Expressing the willingness of the Georgian government for dialogue with the opposition, FM Zalkaliani said the political processes should move to ‘a constructive framework’.