Georgia-UK PMs Meet in Brussels, Discuss Economic Cooperation
By Tea Mariamidze
Monday, November 27
(BRUSSELS) -- High-level cooperation and more robust economic relations between Georgia and the UK were the key topics discussed by Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, and his British counterpart, Theresa May, when the two met on the sidelines of the 5th Eastern Partnership Summit (EaP) in Brussels on November 24.
As part of the bi-lateral talks, Kvirikashvili emphasized the importance of closer cooperation with the UK as part of Georgia’s NATO integration and thanked May for supporting Georgia’s territorial integrity in its struggle to regain control over territory currently occupies by Russia.
Kvirikashvili also met the President of the European Commission, Jean Claude Junker and the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, as well as Latvia’s President Raimonds Vejonis.
Vejonis and Kvirikashvili discussed Georgia’s successful reforms, regional security issues and the necessity to intensify trade and economic relations between the two former Soviet republics.
While delivering a speech to the Summit, Kvirikashvili took time to remind the attendees that Georgia remains a committed EU and NATO ally and a dedicated security partner.
"European values have profoundly shaped the domestic agenda for us...as we reform and modernize Georgia to build a functioning democratic state in our part of the world," said Kvirikashvili in his speech.
He reaffirmed Georgia's commitment to continuing its contribution to EU security missions and emphasized that Tbilisi, despite its challenges and obstacles, will continue its path towards European integration.
The Eastern Partnership is an EU initiative governing its relationship with the post-Soviet states of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.
The agreement aims to provide an avenue for discussions on trade, economic strategy, travel agreements, and other issues between the EU and the EaP member states.
