2017-08-15
Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili held a meeting with member of Bundestag, Deputy Chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group Franz Josef Jung.
The sides to the meeting discussed the bilateral cooperation between Germany and Georgia, interaction with the EU and ongoing Georgian reforms.
The Prime Minister thanked German Bundestag for the Resolution on Ensuring Irreversible Continuity and Stability of EU's Support to the Eastern Partnership that was adopted in July. The document recognizes democratic and institutional progress achieved by Georgia, and notes its leading role throughout the region. Particular attention was paid to Georgia's European integration agenda and importance of the results of upcoming Eastern Partnership summit.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili emphasized the role of Germany in terms of supporting Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration, territorial integrity and sovereignty and introducing visa-free travel to the EU for the citizens of Georgia.
Franz Josef Jung outlined the important contribution of Georgia in providing European and international security.
Particular attention was paid to the deplorable human rights and security conditions in the occupied territories of Georgia. Prime Minister informed the member of Bundestag on the processes of so called "passportization" and "borderization" and emphasized the importance of increased engagement of international partners. Giorgi Kvirikashvili also thanked Germany for allocation of 13 monitoring authorities into the EU Monitoring mission.
During the meeting particular attention was paid to the intensive bilateral relations. It was also outlined that 2017 marks 200 years since founding German settlings in Georgia as well as 25 years since establishing German-Georgian diplomatic relations. The sides of the meeting indicated that Georgia's status of honorary guest at the upcoming Frankfurt Book Fair in 2018 represents a clear indication of the successful cooperation. Pursuant to them, respective activity will increase public awareness about Georgian literature and the country as a whole.
The Prime Minister discussed the Government's four-point reform plan covering tax, education as well as governance systems, in a detailed manner. Giorgi Kvirikashvili also informed the member of Bundestag on leading positions of Georgia in various international rankings.
While discussing higher and professional education reform, Franz Josef Jung expressed readiness to share German experience to Georgia in terms of introducing so called dual model in the education system.
The Prime Minister also discussed the governance reform that aims at maximal inclusion of the civil society in the public administration processes and indicated that Council of Investors is already operating to meet the needs of business sector and setting up of similar platforms for non-governmental sector and political parties is also envisaged.
Acting Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Georgia Monica Lenhard, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vakhtang Makharoblishvili, and Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Tedo Japaridze also attended the meeting.
Prime Minister's Press Office