Georgian President Zourabichvili Meets German President Steinmeier
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
On September 30, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin, following a visit to Paris. Prior to the meeting, Zourabichvili engaged with the Georgian diaspora in the German capital.
During the Berlin talks, the two presidents discussed the pre-election climate in Georgia, which Zourabichvili described as being influenced by Russia. She also highlighted the challenges faced by the Georgian diaspora, noting that they encounter artificial barriers to participating in the country's elections, according to an official press release from the Georgian presidential administration.
Zourabichvili also raised concerns about obstacles being created for non-governmental organizations, specifically mentioning difficulties in conducting monitoring missions.
In reaffirming Georgia's European aspirations, Zourabichvili emphasized that the Georgian people are resolutely pro-European, stating that "the foreign orientation of the Georgian people was, is, and will be European."
President Steinmeier welcomed the Georgian Charter, a roadmap introduced by Zourabichvili aimed at guiding Georgia back toward its EU integration. He expressed his support for the victory of pro-European forces in Georgia and voiced his solidarity with the Georgian people in their struggle for a European future.
German Ambassador to Georgia, Peter Fischer, echoed these sentiments on social media, tweeting that Steinmeier thanked Zourabichvili for her clear pro-European stance, while also expressing regret over Georgia's setbacks in the EU accession process. Fischer noted that the current Georgian government is jeopardizing a historic opportunity for the nation.
