Angela Merkel Says Germany Supports Georgia
By Tea Mariamidze
Friday, August 24
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany says her country supports Georgia and its territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders.
“Of course we support Georgia, this is why I came here,” she stated at the joint press-conference with Georgia’s Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze on August 23.
She also stressed that Georgia’s occupation by Russia is a “great injustice.”
“The Russian president knows my position regarding Georgia and about Ukraine too. This is one context. Despite the great efforts, very little is being done to end this injustice forever,” she said, adding that Germany will do its best to help peaceful resolution of the conflict.
According to the Chancellor, Georgia and Germany have a long-lasting relationship and cooperate in various fields. She expressed hope that her visit will advance the mutual relation in multiple areas and especially economic cooperation.
Georgian Prime Minister thanked Merkel for her visit and Germany’s support to Georgia.
He said Georgia counts on its friendly states and foreign partners in peaceful regulation of conflict with Russia.
“Russia does not fulfill the obligations of the ceasefire agreement of August 12, 2008, and continues the occupation of 20% of the Georgian territories…The regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali are annexed, which further worsens the security, humanitarian and human rights situation there,” he said.
He said that constant support of the Chancellor and the Government of Germany is priceless for Georgia.
“The continuous support from you and the government of Germany towards our territorial integrity, as well as our population and our nation's European and Euro-Atlantic integration, is priceless for us,” the PM told Merkel, adding the visa-free regime with the EU is one of the most significant achievements of Georgia.
Merkel has started her South Caucasus tour from Georgia on August 23. She was greeted at Tbilisi International Airport by Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani and Georgian Ambassador to Germany Elguja Khokrishvili.
From the airport, Merkel visited Georgia’s Governmental Administration and had a face-to-face, as well as an extended format meeting with the Prime Minister of Georgia, Mamuka Bakhtadze and other officials.
During the face-to-face meeting, the sides emphasized the close ties between the two countries, Georgia's achievements on the path of European and Euro-Atlantic integration and the importance of German support in this process.
The sides also talked about the situation in the occupied territories of Georgia and the government's peace policy aimed at reconciliation of conflict-divided communities and restoring confidence.
At the extended meeting, it was noted that the Government of Georgia welcomes the investments made by German companies and hopes that the visit of German business delegation with the Chancellor will further strengthen bilateral economic ties between the two countries.
The sides also talked about active cooperation in education, science, and culture. It was noted the fact that this year Georgia-Germany year is celebrated indicates a special friendship between the two countries.
Moreover, Merkel had a meeting with the President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili.
On August 24, German Chancellor will hold meetings with representatives of opposition parties at Tbilisi Marriott Hotel.
Merkel will also meet with Georgian students at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. Afterwards, she will hold a meeting with the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) program.
She will leave Georgia for Azerbaijan in the evening on Friday.
