Georgia’s Foreign Minister: We strengthen our importance as key regional player
By Messenger Staff
Tuesday, March 22
Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikheil Janelidze delivered a speech at the Atlantic Council in Washington several days ago, where he stressed that Georgia was shaping itself as a key regional player.
The Washington-based Atlantic Council is a think tank in the field of international affairs. Founded in 1961, the Council provides a forum for international political, business, and intellectual leaders.
Together with Georgia’s significant role in the region Janelidze, who launched his American business trip on March 14, widely spoke about the necessity of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, Russian aggression, ongoing reforms in Georgia and prospects for Georgia’s economic development.
“We are moving towards membership in the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). and we are progressing on that path. We are strengthening our importance as a key player in the region,” Janelidze said.
The Minister stressed that signing the Georgia-European Union (EU) Association Agreement (AA) was “the biggest emotional achievement” for Georgians as it was a long-awaited prospect for the country and a sign that Georgia will truly become a fully-fledged member of the European community.
In this light, the Minister spoke about the success Georgia had achieved in terms of implementing the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan (VLAP) with the EU and stressed that Georgia had fulfilled all its requirements and recommendations under the VLAP.
“It means Georgia is a reliable and trusted partner to which the EU can open its borders,” Janelidze said.
Speaking about NATO-Georgia relations, Janelidze said: “We are working hard together with our partners to make progress in our integration with NATO during the upcoming Warsaw Summit.”
Russia was also one of the topics of the speech. Janelidze said that despite provocations Georgia tried to promote “careful and pragmatic policies”.
“We try to do more to engage with the people living on the occupied territories to provide them with all the benefits we are providing to people living in Georgian-controlled territories,” he said.
In his presentation, the Minister extensively spoke about the reforms carried out by the Georgian Government in terms of the rule of law, inclusive government, fundamental rights and freedoms and the engagement of civil society.
Georgia’s economic development, including the improvement of investment environment, attraction of investments, liberalization of the tax system, economic growth and reduction of unemployment were also featured in the Minister’s speech.
