2016-07-26
One of the preconditions of our country's success lies within a prudent and flexible diplomacy adapted to the rapidly changing international scenery.
It is thanks to the professionalism and tireless work of Georgian diplomacy, among others, that today Georgia offers opportunities for peaceful development as it continues its unwavering path to the EU and NATO and implements important democratic and economic reforms, - Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili addressed participants of Ambassadorial 2016.
According to the head of the Government, Ambassadorial gives Georgia's legislative and executive branches and diplomatic corps, a unique opportunity to summarize the last year's work together, to discuss the problems facing the country, and to make future plans, which consolidates even further our efforts in the international environment, challenging and yet full of opportunities.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili indicated that last year, in the same format, different priorities and planned relevant actions were set, most of which have been successfully implemented through joint effort.
According to the Prime Minister, everyone realizes the complexity of today's trends in global politics, as well as the challenges facing Georgia today.
As it was noted by the head of the Government, as it was evidenced by the July 8, 2016 Declaration of the Parliament of Georgia, despite the pluralism and difference of opinion in the country, nearly all political forces are unanimous when it comes to reaching the country's foreign policy objectives. As the choice of the Georgian people, this trajectory reflects the aspirations of society as a whole, aspirations for a state building upon democratic values and centered on the human being, human freedom and safety, and this is how Georgia will gain a foothold in the European family of nations.
"To fulfill this request of Georgia's citizens, the country has progressed in leaps and bounds over the past few years. On July 1, the Association Agreement came into full force to make the dream of many generations: Georgia's economic integration and political association with the EU come true, and this is only the beginning of our EU integration. The process of visa liberalization between the EU and Georgia already bears witness to our political development, numerous successful reforms, and the country's European path in general. This process has entered the decisive phase, and we certainly hope that the EU member states will soon make a decision on granting Georgian nationals visa-free travel. This decision is not just about a visa-free regime. Rather, it will mark a turning point in Georgia's return to the European family of nations. This is why all efforts must be made to ensure the quickest possible resolution of this issue", - Giorgi Kvirikashvili indicated.
According to the Prime Minister, the support and pledge Georgia received at the NATO Summit in Warsaw reaffirm the deep and far-reaching unique partnership between NATO and Georgia, also testifying to progress on this path and confirming the inevitability of Georgia's eventual accession.
" NATO remains steadfast in its support for Georgia's integration into the Alliance, promotes our country's greater defense capabilities, and increases efforts to ensure security in the Black Sea Region. All this means new opportunities for our country to shape itself into a part of a wider security region with some of its constituent states being NATO and EU members.
For its part, Georgia is a significant contributor to stronger international security and stability. As a responsible member of the international community, Georgia continues to participate in NATO and EU-led missions. We remain the largest non-member contributor of troops under the NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. And this is a clear demonstration of Georgia's ability as a significant contributor to global security" - Prime Minister stated.
Head of the Government also emphasized the visit of US State Secretary John Kerry to Georgia, which reasserted that the United States of America remains Georgia's main ally.
As it was noted by Giorgi Kvirikashvili, The Memorandum on Deeper Defense and Security Cooperation between Georgia and the US, which was signed during this visit, offers a totally new framework of partnership and covers the fields that are critical for strengthening Georgia's security and resilience.
" Ultimately, I believe that there are a number of fields, from security to economy and people-to-people contacts, which offer greater room and opportunity to boost our cooperation. Our Government will spare no effort further to deepen the strategic partnership between our countries and to advance it to a higher level. Georgia prioritizes continuing close, mutually beneficial, and respectful relations, and relevant joint projects, with its neighbors and other countries in the region. Georgia invests heavily to fulfil its function as a trade, commercial, and transit crossroads, and to transform into a regional hub, which, along with economic benefits, will bring about greater peace and stability in the region as a whole", - Prime Minister indicated and outlined that channeling greater diplomatic effort in this direction is a must.
In his speech Prime Minister also elaborated on the occupied territories of Georgia and the relations with Russia.
"As 20 percent of our country's territories remain occupied, and our neighbor is carrying out an actual annexation of our country's integral parts, it is of course impossible to consider progress in relations with such a neighbor. Nonetheless, our pragmatic and balanced policy toward Russia-and this policy has no alternative-has resulted in averting war and armed conflict against a backdrop of constant provocations. Unfortunately, this is the reality we are facing, and changing this reality requires a far-reaching, prudent, and consistent policy from us.
In addition, the opportunities offered by our European agenda, which are designed to develop the East-West Corridor, may serve as a solid complementary foundation for promoting engagement and contacts between the communities separated by occupation lines. For its part, our Government will make an all-out effort to provide the populations of the occupied territories with access to the benefits offered by the EU Association Agreement and our participation in other integration processes," - Prime Minister outlined.
Head of the Government expressed his confidence that representatives of Georgian diplomatic corps will do your best to address the challenges facing Georgia.
"Our honorable ambassadors, you are lucky to be representing a country that makes you exceedingly proud. Today Georgia is a worthy member of the free world; with its distinguished history and culture, democracy and peacebuilding policy, and aspirations to develop mutually beneficial relations, Georgia is a role model and a good examples for other countries to follow," - Prime Minister addressed Georgian diplomats.
On behalf of the Government, Prime Minister of Georgia thanked Ambassadors and wished them even more success in their future endeavors.
President of Georgia, representatives of executive and legislative branches of Government as well as accredited diplomats attended the opening of Ambassadorial 2016.
Prime Minister's Press Office