Ambassador of Japan to Georgia Imamura Akira makes the first visit to Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region
Monday, May 17
Last week Ambassador of Japan to Georgia H.E. IMAMURA Akira visited Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region. During the visit, the Ambassador opened the “Project for Provision of Agricultural Laboratory Equipment in Zugdidi Municipality”, funded within the Grassroots Human Security Grant Program (GGP) of the Embassy of Japan. Within this project, the agricultural centre in Zugdidi was provided with 69’500 USD worth of agricultural laboratory equipment, which will ensure laboratory examinations and provide quality certificates, for enabling more competitiveness of local farmers and for promotion of food safety in Georgia.
The Ambassador visited the so-called crossing point on the Enguri Bridge alongside the Governor of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region, Malkhaz Toria, and representatives of the local self-government and reaffirmed Japanese support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within internationally recognized borders.
During the trip, the Ambassador also visited IDP settlement in Potskho Etseri. Together with the Governor of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region, Malkhaz Toria, the Head of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Ruslan Abashidze, and Tsalenjikha Municipality Mayor, Besik Partsvania, he heard from locals about the problems and challenges in the settlement and region. Importantly, locals noted the socio-economic situation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ambassador Imamura once again expressed his willingness to continue Japanese support to conflict-effected communities in Georgia. The Ambassador also visited Enguri Dam that is located near the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL).
One of the highlights of the Ambassador’s trip was a visit to the Zugdidi Botanical Garden and Dadiani Palace which boasts an exceptional collection of materials representing the cultures of Ancient Greece and Colchis, the Chitin of Holy Mother of God and the bronze mask of Napoleon I, which there are only 4 copies in the world. It should be noted that renovation of the exhibition halls of Dadiani Palace was funded by the Government of Japan in 2010.
