Minister: Germany Supports Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic Aspirations
The German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas stated Germany supports Georgia’s integration with the EU, and granting Georgia visa-free travel with the EU is one of the milestones on this path.
“You have gathered a pace in carrying out importance reforms and have become a frontrunner in the region,” he said.
Heiko Maas made the statement at the joint press-conference with the Georgian FM David Zalkaliani who paid an official visit to Berlin.
“This blue flag with yellow stars is a common sight in Tbilisi that makes us happy and serves as an outer expression of what Georgians feel internally. Therefore, we should bring our policy closer to these sentiments and make our policy better to such countries as Georgia, what we need is the policy of European East,” German minister said.
He added that Georgia is a close ally of NATO which is manifested in Georgia’s active involvement in the international peacekeeping missions, as well as in Georgia’s participation in the NATO summit.
The German Minister said that Germany used to and will continue standing by Georgia.
In his speech, Georgian minister said the fact that Georgian-German relations are special is proven by the fact that his first official visit as the foreign minister took place in Germany.
“The words of the German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas are a clear recognition of Georgia as a European country,” Zalkaliani stated after the meeting with his German counterpart in Berlin on June 2.
The Georgian Foreign Minister spoke about the reforms Georgia has carried out for European integration. Special value, in this light, should be placed on the Association Agreement. According to Zalkaliani, the Georgian government developed a European integration roadmap to help Georgia get closer to the European Union.
“Georgia is an inseparable part of the European family, to which attest the tangible successes made in the process of democratic transformation and rapprochement with Europe – successes that are unanimously recognized by our partners including German,” Zalkaliani noted.
According to him, Georgia and Germany have a very fruitful cooperation for Georgia’s European integration.
“We highly appreciate Germany's role in Georgia’s European integration and the country’s support for the Georgia-EU visa free waiver. Today, the relations between Georgia and the European Union have become increasingly dynamic, a tribute for which goes to our European colleagues,” the Georgian minister said.
David Zalkaliani also highlighted Germany’s important role in the context of NATO Summit in Brussels, as well as Georgia-Germany successful co-operation in ensuring international security.
“We welcome that Germany recognizes Georgia’s merit in strengthening Euro-Atlantic security,” Zalkaliani said.
By Thea Morrison