President Zourabichvili Pays an Official Visit to Latvia
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Thursday, May 16
The President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, is paying an official visit to Latvia. Following the meeting between the two delegations, joint press conference was held for media. Aside from the President of Latvia, Raimonds Vejonis, Zourabichvili also met with the Parliament Speaker and the Prime Minister of Latvia.
Presidents of Georgia and Latvia discussed security issues and European integration process. As Raimonds Vejonis said after the meeting, Latvia will continue to support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to the president's administration, leaders at the meeting noted that the EU Monitoring Mission is a very important tool, since the EU monitors have the ability to observe beyond the occupation line in Georgia. Currently Latvia is represented by 7 observers in the EUMM. The sides discussed Georgia's occupied territories and thanked Latvia for the unwavering support of Georgia's sovereignty.
“Georgia is a successful country. NATO and the European Union should continue an open door policy. Latvia has always supported Georgia's integration into NATO and the EU. I'm sure it will definitely happen. I have been several times in Georgia. Georgian people are friendly, open, hospitable. We are partners and one day we will definitely be together in NATO and the EU,” said the President of Latvia.
Salome Zourabichvili thanked Latvia for its support: “The experience that you share with us is very important. …The challenges faced by the European Union should not curb our integration. We know how to strengthen our relationship and cooperation with NATO to get NATO's door open.”
The President also talked about Russia’s aggressive politics, “Russia continues provocations and aggressive politics against Georgia. Russia thinks that by putting pressure, it will keep Georgia apart from EU and NATO. That’s when we need the support from our friends and partners to remind Russia that this will not happen,” said Zourabichvili.
The President of Georgia also met with the Latvian Prime Minister, Arturs Krisjanis Karins. The meeting focused on the importance of exchange programs for students and the role of circular migration in the fight against unemployment, as well as the training course of Georgian civil servants in Latvia.
Salome Zourabichvili met with the Parliament Speaker of the Republic of Latvia, Inara Murniece. The parties discussed the occupied territories and the progress that Georgia has achieved in the European and Euro-Atlantic integration processes.
The President of Georgia noted that Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration is irreversible and Russia’s provocations and borderization cannot stop that. According to Inara Murniece, Latvia recognizes Georgia as a great friend and a leading member of the Eastern Partnership. According to her, Latvia understands what conflict with Russia is and it helps Western Europeans realize what occupation means for Georgia.
Together with the President of Latvia, Zourabichvili will visit the Occupation Museum and lay a wreath at the Freedom Monument. The President will also hold a meeting with the sixth President of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga – whose presidency is linked with the country’s integration in the European structures. This year, Latvia marks the 15th anniversary of joining NATO and the EU.
President Zourabichvili also met representatives of Georgian Diaspora on the first day of her official visit to Latvia. According to the Presidential Administration, the discussion focused on the importance of the President's visits to the Baltic States and the role of the diaspora. The president referred the compatriots residing abroad as "Georgian ambassadors", who, in her view, represent a significant part of country's image and foreign policy.
The next stop of President Zourabichvili is Estonia, where according to the agenda, she will have official meetings with the President of Estonia and other Estonian leaders.
