Georgia’s President Meets His Belarus Counterpart
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili met his Belorussian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, in Minsk on March 1st.
In honor of the President of Georgia, an official welcoming ceremony was held at the Independence Palace. After the ceremony, the presidents met to discuss prospects of strengthening cooperation in the political, economic, and cultural spheres.
Georgia’s Presidential Administration reports that one of the main talking points was the issue of regional security. They also discussed the situation in the occupied territories of Georgia.
Margvelashvili thanked President Lukashenko for his support of Georgia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and non-recognition policy. Marvelashvili also noted that by signing the Treaty on Alliance and Integration, the Russian Federation had begun annexation of Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions. Margvelashvili emphasized the importance of the international community’s firm position in regard to illegal actions taken by the Russian Federation, in order to avoid annexation of the occupied territories of Georgia.
The President of Georgia expressed concern over the fact that Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region are still inaccessible for the international community and the European Union Monitoring Mission is the only international oversight on site, which, despite the mandate, is not allowed to enter the occupied territories of Georgia.
The presidents also expressed their readiness to increase cooperation concerning education, innovation, and tourism. It was highlighted that opening the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus to Georgia significantly contributes to the further development of relations between the two countries.
Following the face-to-face meeting, the parties held an extended meeting, attended by the members of the Georgian delegation and government officials of the Republic of Belarus.
“Georgia is moving towards EU and NATO integration, while Belarus is a member of the Eurasian Union. We respect each others freedom of choice. The aspirations of our states towards different alliances are not a dividing line, but an advantage which should further strengthen relations between our countries. I think such partnership should be exemplary for other countries,” stated Margvelashvili.
The conversation also touched upon the importance of the Eastern Partnership Summit, scheduled to be held in Brussels in November 2017. It was noted that Georgia supports the flexibility of the Eastern Partnership format, which will meet the requirements, expectations, and interests of all participating countries.
Each party expressed interest in strengthening cooperation within the Eastern Partnership program in regard to opportunities and resources from the set of common interests. According to Margvelashvili, Georgia is ready to share its experience in economic reforms with its Belarusian colleagues.
Moreover, two agreements were signed between the governments of Georgia and the Republic of Belarus on “investment promotion and reciprocal protection” and “air traffic". The agreements were signed by the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Giorgi Gakharia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Vladimir Makei, and the Minister of Transport and Communications, Anatoly Sivak.
As noted, the signing of these agreements will further promote cooperation, investment growth, and development of trade and economic relations between the two states.
The presidents made joint statements at the press-conference.
“Let me thank you for your unwavering support of the Georgian state and let me assure you that the Georgian-Belarusian relations will further be enhanced[…]Thank you for a very interesting and all-encompassing dialogue, and I believe that this meeting holds serious potential,” Georgia’s President said.
President Lukashenko pointed out that Georgia represents a prospective and important partner for Belarus in the Caucasus region, with which the Republic has had diplomatic relations for more than 20 years. “We trust each another and I am sure that by opening the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus to Georgia we will further contribute to our cooperation…We will do our best for our brotherly nation, for the Georgian people,” President Lukashenko stated.
Following the joint press conference, Margvelashvili and Lukashenko signed a joint statement.
Thea Morrison