Vice-President of German Bundestag pays an official visit to Georgia
By Nika Gamtsemlidze
Wednesday, July 10
Claudia Roth, Vice-President of the German Bundestag, is visiting Georgia. During her visit, she will have several meetings and also attend a conference, Georgia’s European Way, which will be held in Batumi on July 11-12.
Roth already held few meetings with the representatives of the Georgian Parliament. During her visit to the Prime Minister of Georgia, Mamuka Bakhtadze, sides talked about the positive dynamics of development of relations between the countries, as well as the importance of such high-level meetings.
During the meeting, they discussed the importance of the reform of education and emphasized the significance of sharing German experience in the correct implementation of the reform, particularly in the field of vocational education.
Discussions also touched upon the situation in Georgia’s occupied territories, the government’s peace initiative - “Step for a Better Future” and the significance of EU’s support for its successful implementation.
According to Roth, even though 20% of Georgia’s internationally recognized territories are occupied, the country still manages to develop its economy and maintain its position as the leader in the region. While talking about occupied territories, Roth recalled the Berlin Wall and noted that “sooner or later all dividing walls will come down.”
Vice-President of Bundestag also met Sopio Kiladze, Chairperson of the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee of the Parliament of Georgia. During the meeting, they talked about the current events in Georgia and discussed future cooperation between the two countries.
“For us, Germany is a very important partner who has long supported the democratic and legal development of our state. That is why it is very important that the Vice-President of the Bundestag visits Georgia and is interested in the situation in our country. We have strong support of the German state on the path of European and democratic development,” noted Kiladze.
While meeting the Chairperson of the Foreign Relations Committee, Sofio Katsarava, Roth discussed the close and friendly relations between Georgia and Germany in both bilateral and multilateral format.
Sophio Katsarava talked about the path of Georgia’s integration into Euro-Atlantic structures, as well as the ongoing and implemented reforms in Georgia. During the meeting, Katsarava expressed her gratitude towards Germany for its support of Georgia.
“Germany has a significant role in the institutional and socio-economic development of our country. Germany also strongly supports Georgia’s European aspirations,” noted Katsarava.
Roth also met with the representative of parliamentary minority, Vice-Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Sergi Kapanadze. The sides discussed the current situation in Georgia and foreign challenges that the country faces.
Claudia Roth visited Georgia to attend Georgia’s European Way, which is dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership (EaP). During Roth’s meeting with Katsarava, she spoke about the importance of the EaP initiative and underlined the significance of Georgia as a leader in the format.
EaP is a joint initiative of the EU, its Member States and six Eastern European Partners, including Georgia. EaP aims at building a common area of shared democracy, prosperity, stability and increased cooperation
The Conference which is planned to take place in Batumi on July 11-12, will bring together high-level officials and representatives from academia, non-governmental sector and business representatives from the EU and six partner countries.
