2020-09-29
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia held a meeting with European Council President Charles Michel within the framework of his official visit to Brussels.
The parties discussed the challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the steps taken while dealing with the pandemic. The success achieved by Georgia in this regard was stressed. The Prime Minister gave special thanks to the European Union for its financial support in the fight against the pandemic.
Important issues on the agenda of Georgia-EU cooperation and the process of the country's European integration were also stressed during the meeting.
The Prime Minister noted that Georgia has set three main priorities on the path to EU integration: democratic development and institutional strengthening, the strengthening of Georgia's strategic role in the wider Black Sea Region, and the improvement of transport and communication links. According to the Georgian side, Georgia, as part of the wider Black Sea Region, can play an important role with the status of an alternative transport and communications center for Europe and an important energy corridor for the region. At the same time, the head of the Georgian Government stressed the importance of Georgia's physical connection with the European Union and the efforts to find practical tools to achieve this goal.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the parliamentary elections that are scheduled for 31 October in Georgia. The head of the government noted that the country has carried out a comprehensive electoral reform aimed at holding free and fair elections and supporting democratic consolidation, in accordance with the recommendations of the OSCE and the Venice Commission. The Prime Minister expressed hope that the elections will be monitored by as many observers from European structures as possible, adding that the Government of Georgia will ensure the full observance of their safety standards.
The talks touched on Georgia-EU cooperation in the field of security. The Prime Minister noted that Georgia is an integral part of European security and that it is ready to contribute more in this direction. The high-level EU-Georgia Strategic Security Dialogue was highlighted as an important component of bilateral security cooperation.
The sides discussed the situation in the region and the challenges that exist in the occupied territories of Georgia. The Prime Minister spoke to the president of the European Council in detail about the difficult human rights situation in the occupied territories, the so-called borderization process, and the difficult humanitarian situation created by the closure of the so-called checkpoints on the occupation line. The president of the European Council reaffirmed the European Union's strong support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as for its policy of non-recognition of the occupied territories.
The talks also touched on the issue of cybersecurity, which is a significant challenge facing modern states. The Prime Minister noted that Georgia has faced similar threats on several occasions in recent years, adding that one of the latest attacks damaged Georgian healthcare institutions, including the Lugar Laboratory. According to Giorgi Gakharia, very important elections lie ahead and the risks are increasing; therefore, the support of strategic partners and allies in the field of cybersecurity is of particular importance.
Press Service of the Government Administration