Georgia’s FM Participates in European Conservatives and Reformists Group Conference
Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mikheil Janelidze took part in the European Conservatives and Reformists Group Conference on October 19 in Krakow, Poland.
Janelidze was invited as a special guest to the conference dedicated to the development of security in Poland and European Union (EU) new member states.
While delivering his speech, Janelidze underlined the importance of security issues in the Euro-Atlantic area and the decision of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to strengthen the self-defense capabilities of the Alliance partner states.
“It is clear from the existing challenges that we need a common strategy and joint efforts to ensure peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic area," Georgia’s FM stated.
Janelidze also mentioned the decision of NATO, made at the Warsaw Summit this summer, to increase practical cooperation with Georgia and to help it increase its self-defense capabilities.
“I am sure that the most effective way to strengthen security in Europe is to extend the security umbrella in the Black Sea region,” Janelidze stated.
Moreover, the Minister underlined Georgia’s important role in the region in the promotion of safety, as well as in the direction of democratic and economic development.
“Implemented reforms, liberal economic policies and democratic parliamentary elections have proved that Georgia is an important and reliable partner for the West in the region,” he said.
The participants of the conference noted that Russia is carrying out “aggressive policies” in the region, which was expressed in its military invasion and annexation of Georgian territories during the 2008 August War, and the annexation of Crimea.
The conference was also attended by the Minister of Defense of Poland, Antoni Macierewicz, members of the European Parliament and local experts.
Janelidze was invited to the conference by the Vice-President of the European Parliament and the leader of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, Ryszard Czarnecki.
After the conference the Georgian FM held a meeting with Minister Macierewicz during which the sides discussed bilateral defense cooperation between Poland and Georgia.
Macierewicz reiterated his support towards Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Janelidze also met with the Head of the Polish delegation, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, who positively assessed Georgia’s October 8 parliamentary elections and noted that Georgia has an important place in the top five of economically free countries.
The President of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, Syed Kamall, also expressed his firm support to Georgia. The sides discussed Georgia’s cooperation with Great Britain, with Kamall noting that Great Britain is an important strategic partner and ally of Georgia in many directions.
Thea Morrison