Latvian FM meets Georgian officials, Latvia to allocate 15,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Georgia
By Khatia Bzhalava
Tuesday, June 8
Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics is paying a two-day official visit to Georgia. During his stay, Latvian FM is holding meetings with Georgian top officials to discuss the bilateral relations, current challenges, COVID-19, and Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration.
Yesterday, Latvian FM met with his Georgian counterpart David Zalkaliani. The parties discussed Georgia's integration into NATO and the preparations for the next NATO summit. As Zalkaliani noted, now that the relations between Georgia and the European Union are at a high level, Latvia is one of the most supportive partners of Georgia on the path to European integration. He noted that the visit of the Latvian Foreign Minister is an excellent opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues in both bilateral and multilateral formats. Zalkaliani stressed that the cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense and security, trade, tourism and economy is deepening more and more every year.
Following the meeting with Zalkaniani, the Latvian Foreign Minister announced Georgia would receive 15,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine from Latvia. He underscored the importance of joint efforts in the fight against the pandemic. Latvian FM also spoke about the resumption of direct flights, expressed hope that air traffic would soon return to the pre-pandemic levels.
Rinkevics also met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. They discussed the economic cooperation between Georgia and Latvia, underlining the importance of further deepening the relationship, especially in the post-pandemic period. According to the official statement, Georgia's steps toward EU integration were in focus. The sides discussed the political and economic reforms implemented in this process and the country’s progress towards Euro-Atlantic integration.
Latvian FM and Georgian Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the updated Substantial NATO-Georgia Package (SNGP) which offers new avenues for cooperation. Georgian PM thanked Latvia for supporting Georgia's path to Euro-Atlantic integration.
Garibashvili and Rinkevics talked about the dire humanitarian situation in Georgia's occupied territories. Within the framework of his visit to Georgia, Rinkevics will visit Odzisi, a village at the occupation line. The Foreign Minister of Latvia reaffirmed Latvia's strong support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
Parliament Speaker Kakha Kuchava also held a meeting with Latvian FM to discuss the partnership between the countries, as well as future cooperation in bilateral and multilateral formats in political and economic directions. The parties touched upon the NATO Open Door Policy and stressed the necessity of Georgia’s accession to NATO for security in the region.
