On November 16, 2011, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Nika Gilauri, paid a working visit to the Federal Republic of Germany.
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Nika Gilauri, met with the Minister of Development and Economic Cooperation of Germany, Dirk Niebel. The two parties discussed issues of widening of economic cooperation and relations between Georgia and Germany.
"Germany is one of the most important political and economic partners for Georgia. It is one of the most significant players in the EU and NATO. Thus, this partnership shall grow. My visit serves this purpose. It is important to give information about reforms, democratic reforms and economy of Georgia to political elite," pointed out the Prime Minister of Georgia after the meeting.
Nika Gilauri attended a presentation of Georgian wine held at Berlin and met with German businessmen.
Apart from this, the Prime Minister of Georgia delivered a speech at Corber Fund and talked about reforms, issues of safety and business environment in Georgia.
Nika Gilauri met with the Executive Director of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Representatives of German Business, Martin Wansleben.
At the meeting, the two parties discussed investment programs in Georgia, talked about developing hydroelectric and infrastructure projects in Georgia by German companies.
Apart from this, the Prime Minister met with the Vice Chancellor of Germany, Philipp Rosler. At the meeting, they discussed possibility of widening economic relations between Germany and Georgia and reforms carried out in Georgia.
Nika Gilauri attended a political breakfast held by the Economic Council of Christian-Democratic Party at Reichstag, at which he talked about reforms carried out in Georgia in 2003-2011 and tourism.
"This is the best time to make investments in Georgia, in Georgian economy. This has several explanations. First of them is macroeconomic policy. All the data in Georgian economy are healthy. Ou
r banking sector is characterized by high deposit rate; we have a reserve. We have implemented constitutional changes. We have adopted an Act of Freedom. We can not have budget deficit of more than three percent. Expenses shall not exceed 30% and a total debt - 60%. Apart from this, if the government wishes to introduce new taxes, it shell ask the people. Only after this a new tax can be established. According to the data of the World Bank, we are a No 1 country in the world. We rank the sixth place with a view to making business. Our greatest challenge was to combat corruption and we are all proud of our success. I would like to point out that our country has achieved success in the field of tourism; this year, we had a growth of 41% compared to the last year. There is a little town in Georgia, Batumi, which is visited by very many guests every summer," pointed out Nika Gilauri.
The Prime Minister of Georgia met with the Federal Minister of the Interior, Hans-Peter Friedrich. The two parties talked about liberalization of visa regime and simplifying traffic for Internally Displaced People from occupied territories of Georgia. Nika Gilauri got the Federal Minister of the Interior acquainted with reforms carried out in human rights system.
"When I think about relations between Georgia and Germany, I assume that Germany shall be the country, which will support integration of Georgia in NATO and international organizations most of all, as this is the country, which has passed the similar period, which we are now in. 20 years ago, Germany was separated into two parts. And Russia has occupied 20% of territory of Georgia at present. There is such a situation that even family members are not able to see each other for years. Then, the whole world supported Germany and the Country united," declared the Prime Minister after the meeting.
After the meeting with the Federal Minister of the Interior, Nika Gilauri delivered a speech at German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP). At the research institute known all over the world, the Prime Minister of Georgia talked about reforms carried out in Georgia, economic condition, new challenges, safety, internal and foreign political issues. In his speech, the Prime Minister pointed out that from 2003, Georgia is formed as an exemplary reforming country the experience of which is studied and shared by other states. For greater success of Georgia, Nika Gilauri talked about necessity of international support from Germany and made historic parallels between the two countries.
Apart from this, the Prime Minister met with representatives of one of the greatest financial corporations, Commerce Bank, in Germany. As the Prime Minister pointed out at the meeting, "according to the examples of Greece and Italy, we can say that there is a very hard situation in the world economy."
"Now, this is the best time to make investments in Georgia. Georgian economy is stable and developing. Reforms carried out in the country encourage this. Georgia is one of the leading countries with a view to making business. Georgia has become a regional knot. Infrastructure, tourism, energy and banking sector are developing rapidly, although we have still to do much more. We need more development and progress, but Georgia is the best place to make business," declared Nika Gilauri.
The Press Service of the Prime Minister