2017-03-21
Georgia is committed to building a country with European democracy and European institutions, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili stated at today's meeting with Parliament Speakers and Deputy Speakers from the member states of Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8).
The Head of Government thanked the NB8 delegation for visiting Georgia and supporting Georgia on its European path.
"We pride ourselves on our achievements, but these achievements have become possible only through your dedicated support for Georgia's European aspirations. We are also thankful to you for your firm position on Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. I am very grateful to you for visiting the occupation line, sharing our concerns, and being supportive in overcoming these challenges and problems, which is especially appreciated among Georgia's population, not only the Georgian Government," the Prime Minister addressed the NB8 delegation.
During the meeting, Giorgi Kvirikashvili stressed the success achieved over past few years and spoke of the importance of support from the EU member states and Western partners.
"We are very glad to see the progress of the recent years, especially very recent progress on visa liberalization, for which we are particularly grateful to those EU countries who are supportive in ensuring these very important achievements. We are working on the implementation of the Association Agreement, which is the highest priority for Georgia. It not only defines priorities of Georgia's foreign policy, but it also defines every single step we are taking regarding our internal policy and agenda. We are very grateful for this visit. We remember how the Scandinavian countries supported the Baltic countries in achieving their goals. Today, we are very grateful to see the Scandinavian countries, together with the Baltic States, coming here to support Georgia's European future," the Prime Minister of Georgia said.
The discussion also covered Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration process, the country's ongoing democratic reforms, and the situation in the occupied territories.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili also provided the NB8 delegation with detailed information on the Georgian Government's four-point reform agenda, which was subsequently commended by the Parliament Speakers.
The Chairs of the Parliaments of the NB8 member states congratulated Georgia on the successful completion of visa liberalization and pointed out Georgia's impressive success in implementing reforms. The delegation reaffirmed firm support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Norway is the NB8 coordinating country in 2017, focusing on transatlantic relations, Europe's future, Russia, UN-related issues, and the fight against terrorism.
The NB8 delegation consisted of Parliament Speakers Pia Kjærsgaard (Denmark), Eiki Nestor (Estonia), Inara Murniece (Latvia), Viktoras Pranckietis (Lithuania), Olemic Thommessen(Norway), Deputy Speaker Arto Satonen of the Finnish Parliament, First Deputy Speaker Steingrimur Sigfusson of the Icelandic Parliament, and Swedish Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Georgia Martina Quick.
Prime Minister's Press Office