PM Thanks European Council President for Assistance to Deal with COVID-19

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and European Council President Charles Michel held a telephone conversation.

The Prime Minister thanked the President of the European Council for the assistance allocated to Georgia by the European Union in order to deal with the pandemic.

Special attention was paid to economic cooperation. The parties noted that it is important for the economies of both EU member states and Georgia to quickly return to pre-pandemic levels. Georgia and the European Union continue to actively cooperate in this regard. Giorgi Gakharia stated that the Georgian authorities are actively working to restart the country's economy and minimize the negative economic consequences of the pandemic with the support of Western partners and international financial institutions.

The parties discussed Georgia's European aspirations and the upcoming Eastern Partnership summit. The importance of holding the summit during this year and the need to continue close bilateral communication in order to set specific objectives in terms of the European integration of Eastern Partnership countries was stressed during the conversation. It was noted that Georgia has a good basis for taking further bilateral steps with the European Union given the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, as well as visa liberalization.

The conversation also touched upon the role and importance of the Black Sea with regard to activating transportation and communication ties between Georgia and the European Union.

The grave security and humanitarian situation in Georgia's occupied territories was also discussed during the telephone conversation. It was noted that the Russian Federation continues to raise artificial barriers on the occupation line even at a time when the whole world is fighting a global pandemic, which threatens peace and stability in the Eastern European region. Giorgi Gakharia stressed the importance of the European Union's active involvement in this regard.

The Prime Minister of Georgia and the president of the European Council reaffirmed their readiness to discuss all the main items on the agenda of bilateral cooperation during a face-to-face meeting, which will take place in Brussels after the conclusion of the global pandemic.

Source: Press Service of the Government Administration