Hakan Fidan Congratulates Georgia on EU Candidate Status and Reaffirms Support for Euro-Atlantic Integration
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, March 18, 2024
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Hakan Fidan, congratulated Georgia on attaining the status of a candidate for EU membership and affirmed Ankara's commitment to supporting Georgia's integration into Euro-Atlantic political and security structures. Hakan Fidan made this announcement following the tripartite meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey in Baku.
Hakan Fidan emphasized the importance of respecting Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty within internationally recognized borders.
According to him, during the tripartite meeting, the Turkish side reaffirmed its full support for the Georgian government's policy aimed at Abkhazia and the peaceful settlement of conflicts in South Ossetia.
Fidan stated that the meeting discussed the new situation in the region and ways to expand cooperation. He mentioned that the parties agreed to deepen trilateral cooperation in the fields of energy and communications.
The diplomat noted that during the tripartite talks, there was emphasis on the need to launch the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway at full capacity as soon as possible.
"We discussed the strategic importance of the Black Sea for the entire region, particularly in the fields of security, economy, energy, and transport. We have reaffirmed our commitment to enhancing cooperation through specific projects in the region and beyond," said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
