President Salome Zurabishvili Meets French President in Paris

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili met with French President Emmanuel Macron as part of her first official visit to France on February 17 - 19.

Meeting in Paris, the pair agreed to enhance cooperation between France and Georgia and signed a declaration “Amilkhvari Dialogue’ on furthering French-Georgian cooperation. The document was named after the Georgian officer who died as part of the French Foreign Legion in combat for France in 1942.

“Signing the Georgian-French dialogue declaration, we are opening a new page in the history of our relationship,” stated Macron.

At a joint press conference after the meeting, Zurabishvili spoke of Georgia’s occupied zones and stability in the region. She mentioned France’s role in the 2008 ceasefire agreement between Russia and Georgia, and France’s non-recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The pair also discussed Georgia’s commitment to Europe as well the economy, countering illegal migration, and strengthening cultural and educational ties. They also spoke about NATO and Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration process.

In addition, transport routes in the Black Sea region were on the agenda: “I would like France to be an actor in the development of the Black Sea routes, and that in this area of reinforced economic cooperation, our relations become much closer,” said Macron.

During her trip, Salome Zurabishvili also met with the first lady Brigitte Macron, and President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher, as well as various officials. She also visited Sciences Po Paris, her former university.

Zurabishvili will visit Germany from February 20 - 21.

By Amy Jones 

Photo source: The President's Press Office