Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili meets with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili together with Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Olaf Scholz held a press conference discussing Georgia's role in helping Ukraine during the war against Russian aggression, Georgia's path to European Union, and the situation in the Caucasus region.
About Ukraine, Garibashvili noted that Georgia is doing everything to help Ukraine, within the limits of its capabilities.
"We are in a very difficult situation, we are having a difficult time today not only in the region, but around the world, because after Russia's unjustified aggression and large-scale war, the situation in Ukraine has changed radically, including in our region, but as you mentioned, Georgia was the first to experience such war in 2008 and since then, you know that a significant part, 20% of our country's territory, is occupied. Russia continues to occupy our country, and since then we have had to avoid many provocations and manage the process related to modernization and many other problems.
I also want to say that we have given maximum support to Ukraine, we stand in solidarity with them, we have sent more than 1,000 tons of humanitarian cargo, as you mentioned, we have supported a lot of resolutions, statements of support for Ukraine, and we are doing the best that we can within our capacity", said the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili when asked about how far in the future he envisions Georgia joining the European Union, said that they have a specific plan on how to transform, modernize, develop and carry out reforms in the country.
As the Prime Minister explained, the European perspective and the European path are the choices of the Georgian people. He also mentioned a 'historic decision' that had been reached, which gives the country a European perspective.
"Our government is consistent in the issue of joining our country to the European Union. The European perspective and the European way is the choice of our people. It is a path and a process that is irreversible and our government has accelerated it as much as possible in the last few years. I would like to remind you that during our government we signed the Association Agreement, and we have adopted a visa-free regime.
Now, at this historical time, a historic decision has been reached, which is related to giving a European perspective.
As for the question of how soon we envision joining, of course, it does not depend on desire, it is a process that we all follow with maximum responsibility. We understand that it is impossible to speed it up, there are certain criteria that we have to fulfill. It is necessary to prepare our country for the day when the country becomes a member of the European Union.
We have a specific plan on how to transform, modernize, develop and carry out reforms in the country. This is related to the implementation of 12 recommendations, which will allow us to receive the status of a European candidate. We will do our best to achieve this as soon as possible", said the Prime Minister.
Irakli Gharibashvili was also asked about the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and he said that the Georgian government is observing the events unfolding in neighboring countries with great concern, expressing hope that the parties will soon return to the path of a dialogue:
"We are watching the events unfolding in our neighborhood with great concern. Armenia and Azerbaijan are our friendly states, and what is happening in these countries is unacceptable to us, and we observe these events with great concern. I also want to tell you that we had a successful mediation between the two states when with my personal involvement, we were able to release 15 prisoners of war from Azerbaijan, and in return, Armenia handed over very important maps related to mined areas. I want to say that, in general, all the actions that will change the security environment and make it worse should be the excuse and reason for our common concern, therefore, I hope that the parties will soon return to the path of dialogue, sit down at the table and this conflict will end soon," Irakli said. Garibashvili.
As for the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, when asked about what steps will Germany take to support Georgia for integration into the European Union, he said that 'The European Union is doing everything to support Georgia in fulfilling the criteria necessary for membership'. According to him, in addition to supporting legal and political measures, Germany will also help Georgia's economy.
"First of all, political support is important. The European Union is doing everything to support Georgia in fulfilling the criteria necessary for membership. This is the central view of everyone and ultimately it is the job of the candidate countries to fulfill these criteria, but from us, Georgia will have all the support to implement the legal and political measures. In addition, we are talking about the development of economic development prospects, that's why we have excellent cooperation in the field of development policy, this can be expanded, there are many other areas for future development, this is the field of energy, and that's what we were talking about today," said Olaf Scholz.
As Scholz noted, Germany will help Georgia on its way to Europe.
"In the Council of the European Union, we agreed to give Georgia the perspective of the European Union - the recommendations of the European Commission are important in this way. It is known that this requires a joint, national effort of all political forces".
Olaf Scholz also discussed Russia's aggression and Germany's military, political and humanitarian support towards Ukraine:
"Russia's aggression against Ukraine is the main event of the year. Germany supports Ukraine and helps it in military, political, and humanitarian frameworks. It is good that Georgia supported the UN resolution that condemned Russia's aggression."
