Hungarian Minister of foreign affairs and trade visits Georgia
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Tuesday, July 7
Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto paid a visit to Georgia on July 6th, making him the first high-ranking foreign official to travel to Georgia during the novel coronavirus pandemic. He announced that his arrival to Georgia amid the pandemic is a ‘signal of our special ties and cooperation.’
Szijjarto held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Gakharia. Szijjarto praised the reforms carried out by the Georgian government and the country’s successful fight against the coronavirus. Parties discussed issues of bilateral cooperation and future prospects. The focus was on the country's European and Euro-Atlantic integration agenda. Hungarian foreign minister noted that the country is a leader in terms of both the Eastern Partnership and NATO relations, adding that Georgia is a clear example of what kind of alliance it can have with non-NATO member states.
According to him, the efforts of the Georgian government and the people allowed for the country to be successful in fighting against the coronavirus.
Gakharia and Szijjarto discussed tourism opportunities and stated that lifting travel restrictions should take place gradually and cautiously.
Hungarian minister stated that Georgia has a favourable business environment and Hungarian companies are interested to start up their businesses here, citing the activities of Hungarian airlines Wizz Air in Georgia.
During his meeting with Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani Szijjarto said that many Hungarians are eager to visit the country and agreed to create a working group for the fast exchange of information.
According to Szijjarto, Hungary's Exim Bank is opening a ˆ155-million investment line for Georgia, which will be used by Hungarian businessmen who want to invest in Georgia, and the money will be spent on joint Georgian-Hungarian projects. He explained that 'the line of credit will be used by Hungarian businessmen aiming to invest in Georgia' and expressed hope that the line of credit will be fully utilised.
The two ministers also discussed the possibility of reopening borders. Georgian Foreign Ministry cited Szijjarto:
“We understand Georgia’s motive for extending travel restrictions. As successful countries in the fight against the pandemic, we both take careful steps. We agreed to create a working group to regularly exchange relevant information.”
The talks also touched upon the flights by the Hungarian low-cost airline operator Wizz Air, which has a base at the Kutaisi International Airport and offers low-fare routes to the rest of Europe. Hungarian Minister said Georgia remains among its priority destinations, Wizz Air successfully cooperates with Georgia and once the airline is fully up and running again, Georgia will be its ‘priority destination.’
“Wizz Air does not go anywhere, it stays in Georgia and continues to operate," Zalkaliani said at a news conference after the meeting. He called the recent reports that the Hungarian airline is leaving Georgia speculative.
According to the Minister, the Georgian side is communicating with the representative of the airline to plan flights in a consistent and step-by-step manner, which will be implemented in the near future and, first of all, will depend on the epidemiological situation.
Wizz Air's low-cost airlines operated flights to 13 countries from Georgia to more than 25 destinations before the Coronavirus pandemic. Currently flights are suspended and the airline’s base in Georgia is closed.
Szijjarto reiterated his country’s support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He will also meet with the Georgian Ministers of Economy, Regional Development and Education, as well as Georgian Orthodox Patriarch Ilia II.
