The FINANCIAL — German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is visiting Tbilisi on August 23-24, met with Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, discussing the two countries’ economic ties, as well as their political cooperation in bilateral and multilateral formats.
At a joint press conference with PM Bakhtadze, Merkel recalled her previous visit to Tbilisi held shortly after the Russo-Georgian War, and noted that Germany would further contribute to peaceful conflict resolution., according to CIVIL.ge.
Merkel then said she is in “active communication” with Moscow on other issues, including on Ukraine and are trying to resolve the conflict, but “unfortunately, despite our efforts we do not have big progress there as well.” “All I can tell you now is that we will not forget this injustice and we will contribute so that the issue stays on the agenda,” she added.
The German Chancellor spoke on Georgia’s EU integration as well, saying the Association Agreement and the DCFTA are examples of “intensifying” cooperation. Merkel also said she is aware of Georgia’s aspirations, but “at this stage, we are in a phase when we are depening the existing instruments [of cooperation].”
On his part, PM Bakhtadze said Georgia is proud to be Germany’s “reliable partner,” including in international military missions, and that the two countries have “common interests” in enhancing bilateral cooperation.
PM Bakhtadze also stressed that Georgia is not only a European country, but also a country that has contributed to forming “the common European civilization and values,” and that its European choice is a civilizational one.
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