Georgian PM Meets EU, OSCE Officials in New York
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili held several high level meetings in New York on the sidelines of the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly, an annual gathering of heads of state and government to discuss global issues.
On September 19, PM Kvirikashvili met Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the European Commission.
#UNGA meetings: #EU HRVP talks to Prime Minister of #Georgia @KvirikashviliGi: bilateral relations, reforms, #EasternPartnership Summit pic.twitter.com/gaiQTZoAeW
— Maja Kocijančič (@MajaEUspox) September 19, 2017
According to the Georgian PM’s office, the sides spoke on Georgia-EU relations, ongoing reforms in Georgia, and the situation in the occupied territories, with Federica Mogherini reiterating the European Union’s “strong support” to Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and noting that Georgia was “one of the important issues” discussed at her meeting with Vice-President Mike Pence earlier on September 19. The two also spoke on the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in Brussels.
On September 19, Kvirikashvili met with Thomas Greminger, newly-appointed Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Discussed Georgia-OSCE cooperation &situation in occupied territories of #Georgia w/ @OSCE SG Thomas Greminger #UNGA https://t.co/g67ttFC22G pic.twitter.com/Ijw0sw3FP0
— Giorgi Kvirikashvili (@KvirikashviliGi) September 19, 2017
The Georgian PM’s office reported that at the meeting Kvirikashvili spoke on the “grave” human rights and security situation in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region, highlighting the importance of OSCE involvement in the Geneva International Discussions and the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism. The sides also discussed the upcoming municipal elections in Georgia.
PM Kvirikashvili spoke on EU-Georgia relations and the occupied territories with European Council President Donald Tusk as well. According to the PM’s office, President Tusk “reaffirmed the European Union’s unwavering support of Georgia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and all processes designed to integrate Georgia into the European family.”
Talks with PM @KvirikashviliGi on strong EU-Georgia relations and preparing for next Eastern Partnership Summit. #UNGA pic.twitter.com/lbXdyKNrdB
— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) September 18, 2017
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, who is leading the Georgian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly, will deliver a statement at the UNGA General Debate on September 21.