Georgian, Hungarian Foreign Ministers Meet in Budapest

Mikheil Janelidze, Georgia’s Foreign Minister and Vice-Premier met with his Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó on August 31 in Budapest.

Relations between Georgia and Hungary, increasing level of co-operation in the areas of trade, economy, education and people-to-people contacts were the top issues of the meeting.

Georgian FM thanked the Hungarian side for the exchange programs and scholarships offered to Georgian students. According to the Georgian Foreign Minister, the number of Georgian students studying in Hungary increased up to 80 in 2017.

Janelidze expressed satisfaction that the Hungarian companies show an increased level of interest in Georgia’s investment environment. He expressed the readiness to host the next meeting of the intergovernmental economic commission in Tbilisi.

Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration agenda was also discussed during the meeting. It was noted that that the Eastern Partnership Summit, scheduled for November 2017, will give a fresh impulse to the partnership with Georgia and contribute to the development of result-oriented co-operation.  

Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) reports that the Ministers spoke about the development in Georgia’s occupied territories highlighting the European Union’s role in ensuring security and peaceful resolution of the conflict.

“Janelidze thanked Szijjártó for Hungary’s active involvement in the EUMM and for placing the occupation of the Georgian territories high on the agenda of international organizations,” the MFA stated.

.@JanelidzeMkh:"Had a great meeting with #Georgia's close friend and supporter FM #Hungary Péter Szijjártó" #V4 #V4Connects #EaP pic.twitter.com/SGEY03RzYS

— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) August 31, 2017

In Budapest Janelidze took part in the plenary session of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Visegrad Group (V4) and the Eastern Partnership countries.

“The process of comprehensive rapprochement with the EU will open up for Georgia new prospects of in-depth integration,” he stated at the joint press-conference.

Janelidze said that the Eastern Partnership countries play a significant role in ensuring the economic, energetic and physical security of the European Union.

"Georgia is committed to the Eastern Partnership. It is our joint project and a framework of diverse opportunities. The cooperation between the Eastern Partnership and the European Union is not a one-way road,” he stated.

He thanked the Hungarian chairmanship and the V4 countries for their firm support of Eastern Partnership.
 
The plenary session held in Budapest on 31 August was fully dedicated to preparations for the fifth Eastern Partnership summit, scheduled for 24 November 2017 in Brussels.

At #V4 #EaP mtg was discussed importance of EaP countries in energy sec. issues.#GEO plays vital role in ensuring energy security in #Europe pic.twitter.com/yHtn7qlWQy

— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) August 31, 2017

By Thea Morrison