2016-06-16
On June 15-16, Prime Minister conducted an official visit to the Federal republic of Germany. Within the frames of his meeting Giorgi Kvirikashvili held a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The sides discussed bilateral relations between Georgia and Germany, Georgia's EU integration agenda and the regional developments. The sides put particular emphasis on the importance of introduction of the EU visa-free travel regime for Georgian citizens to the EU. It was noted that Georgia complied with all the prescribed requirements, as it was indicated in the Report of the European Commission issued last December. Hope that positive decision would follow the legislative discussions at the EU Council and European Parliament concerning the initiative elaborated by the European Commission. The conversation also touched upon the conditions in the occupied regions of Georgia as well as steps towards de-escalation of Russian-Georgian relations were discussed. Giorgi Kvirikashvili noted that Georgia welcomes the growing role and greater involvement of OSCE in the peaceful resolution of the Russian-Georgian conflict. Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Angela Merkel discussed strategic partnership between Georgia and Germany. It was noted that Germany was one of the first countries to recognize independence of Georgia and developed close partnership with Georgia. After the meeting, the Prime Minister and German Chancellor held a joint press conference.
Chancellor of Germany emphasized that German-Georgian bilateral relations are very positive and visits of the Prime Minister as well as the Speaker of the Parliament and President of Georgia to Germany as well as the visit of the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany to Georgia scheduled in July is a clear indication of close Georgian-German cooperation. "By the 25th anniversary of Georgia's independence we have established positive, friendly relations and our meeting today was held in this general spirit. We discussed our bilateral relations, it is welcoming that 2017 was pronounced as a year of Georgian-German friendship. It is also worth noting that in 2018 Georgia will be presented as a guest of honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair and this will enable many Germans to get better acquainted to Georgian culture and writers," - Chancellor noted.
Angela Merkel indicated that German-Georgian cooperation is ongoing within the EU and NATO frameworks as well. Pursuant to Chancellor, Germany keeps a close eye on economic reforms and liberalization of economy in Georgia. Chancellor of Germany thanked Prime Minister of Georgia for the visit and wished him all of the success on his not always simple, but very ambitious path.
In the beginning of July Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany will visit Georgia. During the meeting of Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier the details of upcoming visit were discussed.
The sides assessed official visit of the Prime Minister as an indicator of high-level relations.
The main topic of the meeting was the Visa Liberalization related issues. The efforts of Georgia and supportive role of Germany in view of implementation of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan were emphasized.
According to Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German Foreign Affairs Ministry supports Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations and recognized progress achieved by Georgia in this direction.
The sides also discussed regional security issues as well as developments in the occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskinvali. In this context, the role of Germany as the OSCE's acting chair country was outlined. It was noted that OSCE is actively engaged in the conflict resolution process, co-chairs the Geneva negotiations and hence, the words and actions of Germany as the chair of organization are decisive.
According to the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Germany welcomes the approach of Government of Georgia to undertake constructive polity in terms of ensuring regional stability and security.
Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili held a meeting with President of Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany Norbert Lammert. Sides emphasized the long history of close and friendly relations existing between Germany and Georgia.
Parties discussed the main areas of relations between the two countries, importance of parliamentary cooperation and development of relations between the civil societies as well as the agenda of European and Euro-Atlantic integration. The importance of timely decision making on visa liberalization with the European Union was underlined and successful reforms conducted in frames of visa liberalization action plan was mentioned.
According to the statement of the President of Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany, Germany welcomes the progress achieved by Georgia in terms of visa liberalization, association agreement with the EU and implementation of democratic reforms in general.
Within the frames of the Prime Minister's visit to Germany a meeting between the Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili and the Federal Minister of Education and Research Johanna Wanka was held.
Parties discusses the prospects of cooperation of the two countries in the field of science and education and stressed the the importance of strengthening the relations.
The Prime Minister of Georgia drew attention on the consisting part of the Government's 4 point reform plan - reform of education system, which provides for the introduction of German model in professional education. According to him, German dual model implies the approaches which are connected to the sustainable economic development and further employment of graduates, which is of great importance for Georgia. Expectation was expressed, that education system based on the model of partnership among the State and Private Sector will provide more qualified, competitive professionals and more employed people for the State.
The Prime Minister of Georgia presented the New Minister of Education and Science of Georgia Aleksandre Jejelava to the Federal Minister of Education and Research Johanna Wanka and expressed the hope for further strengthening of cooperation.
After the meeting signing ceremony of memorandum between the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany was held, which aims to strengthen the cooperation in the field of professional education.
Process of European integration, Georgia-Russian relations, the role of the country in the region, importance of strategic cooperation with Germany, Georgian Government's reform plan - these were the subjects discussed by the Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili in his public speech held at the Friedrich Ebert" Foundation.
The agenda of European and Euro-Atlantic integration was presented by the Prime Minister of Georgia to German Politics, Experts and Journalists, and he stressed the importance of Visa Liberalization with the European Union.
According to the Prime Minister Georgian Government conducted democratic reforms, the process of depoliticizing police is ongoing, the office of prosecutor conducts investigation in accordance with high international standards and acts against criminals despite of their social status or political views.
In his speech the Prime Minister identified the steps taken for the protection of human rights as one of the important achievement of the Government of Georgia. Giorgi Kvirikashvili spoke on future plans of the Government and presented 4 pillar reform plan to the representatives.
"Trade and Business with Georgia" - Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, who is paying an official visit to the Federative Republic of Germany, opened Georgia-Germany Business Forum that started in Berlin.
The main issues discussed at the Georgia-Germany Business Forum were as follows: Georgia's attractive, stable business environment and investment opportunities.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili informed the participants of the Forum, representing about 130 Georgian and German business societies, on the potential of Georgia, as the leading reformer country in the region. According to the Prime Minister, Georgia has made important steps forward towards the European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
"Georgia's European Way" was the topic of the public lecture presented by the Prime Minister of Georgia at Humboldt University of Berlin. Prime Minister of Georgia explained the steps taken by Georgia in the direction of achieving its historical goal - European integration to the professors, educators, experts and students of various universities gathered at the lecture. He elaborated on the aspects that make Georgian-EU relations so important and why Georgia considers itself to be a purely European country. Pursuant to Prime Minister, Georgia's European choice reflects not only existing priorities, but represents choice made by number of generations that share the common understanding of Georgian identity. Pursuant to him, Georgia has achieved a considerable success in view of human rights protection and plan elaborated by the Government of Georgia is based on democratic values.
By the end of his official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili attended the celebratory reception marking the Independence Day of Georgia.
The event hosted by Embassy of Georgia was attended by Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmaier, who delivered a speech, Pursuant to the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Germany wholeheartedly supports Georgia's European aspirations and cooperation process. Walter Steinmaier considers that Georgia has scrupulously complied with all the tasks set out by the Visa Liberalization Action Plan.
"I am a strong supporter of Georgia's visa liberalization issue. I understand that citizens of Georgia are willing to enjoy visa-free travel benefits with Europe, after Georgia performed the mandatory steps expected by the EU. I firmly believe and would like to emphasize that we can solve this issue and we will take right decision for both nations. However, to achieve set goal, we need to demonstrate firmness, diligent labor and unity. Our intensive dialogue throughout last 2-3 weeks has been a clear indication of the continuation of our close and constructive relations and aims at finding solutions to the existing challenges. Joint celebration of Georgia's National Holiday is a clear indication of Georgian-German unity," - Frank-Walter Steinmeier noted.
Pursuant to Steinmeier, by the 25th anniversary of its independence, Georgia managed to implement quite ambitious reforms in terms of drawing closer to Europe.
The Georgian delegation included Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze, Minister of Interior Giorgi Mghebrishvili, Minister of Education Alexander Jejelava, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Keteval Bochorishvili, Business Ombudsman Giorgi Gakharia, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament Tedo Japaridze.
Prime Minister's Press Office