Italy's Deputy FM Visits Tbilisi, Meets Georgian Dream and Opposition
By Messenger Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Italy's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Edmondo Cirielli visited Tbilisi on June 23, holding separate meetings with Georgian Dream officials and opposition party representatives.
Cirielli met with Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, and government administration head Levan Zhorzholiani. Talks focused on bilateral relations "founded on shared European interests and values," with Kobakhidze saying the Georgian government "stands ready to restore relations with the European Union based on mutual respect and to engage in constructive dialogue."
The same day saw the fifth round of bilateral political consultations between the two countries, with Georgia's delegation led by First Deputy FM Giorgi Zurabashvili. The sides discussed cooperation across trade, energy, tourism, defence, culture, and education, with particular attention paid to the Middle Corridor and Georgia's role as a regional transport hub.
Cirielli also met Georgian Dream Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, who said Georgia "has openly declared European course, but we see unfair attitude on this path," adding that "we don't fight against anyone, we just protect the interests of our country and our people."
Opposition representatives who met with Cirielli later spoke to the media. Lelo-Strong Georgia coalition leader Badri Japaridze described the meeting as "informative" and said Italy had "a very firm decision that Georgia must not be lost to the European Union."
Ahali party leader Nika Gvaramia raised the deteriorating health of imprisoned Droa party leader Elene Khoshtaria and argued that Georgia's strategic value as a transit route for rare minerals from Central Asia was being squandered under Bidzina Ivanishvili's rule. European Georgia leader Gigi Tsereteli said the Italian side "understands the problems that exist in Georgia, however, their approach is less rigid, more dialogue-oriented." UNM member Giorgi Baramidze said opposition figures pressed for continued isolation of the Georgian Dream government and called for sanctions targeted at the regime rather than the Georgian people.
