Garibashvili visits Ukraine, meets with country’s PM
By Nika Gamtsemlidze
Monday, August 23
The Prime Minister of Georgia held an official visit to Ukraine. The visit started on August 21 and will be concluded today, on August 23. The Prime Minister of Georgia met the Ukrainian Prime Minister on August 21.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili told a joint news conference after meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal that Russia's actions in Ukraine, Crimea, Georgia, Tskhinvali, and Abkhazia were of common concern.
He said that the so-called process of borderization is still ongoing, in addition, 20 percent of the Georgian territory is still occupied by the Russian forces. The Prime Minister also announced that he plans to take part in the Crimea Platform, a diplomatic initiative of Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky.
After the meeting with Denys Shmyhal, Garibashvili also spoke about the aspirations of Georgia and Ukraine towards European integration and focused on the importance of the establishment of a “trio” format.
“We, the three countries - Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia - can set a really good example for the international community and prove to our partners in a" trio "format that we can be successful states and deserve EU and NATO membership,” said Garibashvili.
As for the Ukrainian Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal, during the meeting, both sides talked about joint steps that should be taken to fasten the integration of Georgia and Ukraine in NATO. Shmyhal also noted that the “Trio” has become a very strong player in the process of Euro-Atlantic integration of the three countries.
The Prime Minister of Ukraine states that Ukraine is interested in the development of railway transit with Georgia, and he raised this issue at a meeting with the Prime Minister of Georgia.
According to him, in this context, it was agreed with Garibashvili that consultations will continue with the European Commission to ensure favorable conditions for freight traffic in the seaports of Georgia, Ukraine, and other EU countries.
At the same time, he focused on the development of trade between Georgia and Ukraine. He noted that the dynamics of the bilateral trade have reached a new level and increased by 32% in the first five months of 2021.
According to him, Georgia and Ukraine have all the prerequisites for expanding investment cooperation. As he noted, the possibility of business participation in the development of joint high-tech enterprises in the privatization process, as well as in infrastructure projects was discussed.
Today, on August 23, the Prime Minister of the country will take part in the Crimea Platform. Leaders of over 40 countries are taking part in the summit, which includes the EU, NATO, and the USA. The summit will be conducted with the signing of the Charter of Crimea.
