Georgian Delegation Led by PM Garibashvili Attends World Economic Forum in Davos

On January 16, the Georgian delegation headed by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili began its visit to Switzerland to participate in the annual World Economic Forum in Davos. Prime Minister Garibashvili will take part in several panel discussions and hold bilateral meetings with private companies and representatives of the participating countries.

Prime Minister Garibashvili has already held a meeting with the Executive Director of the Turkish company Koç Holding – Levent Cakiroglu. The discussions focused on the deepening of cooperation in the IT and tourism sectors. He also met the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Danish company Mærsk, Robert Mærsk Uggla; the CEO of the UAE’s company TAQA, Jasim Husain Thabet; the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile Renaud-Basso; the Executive Chairman of Kuwaiti company Alshaya Group, Mohammed Alshaya.

High-level meetings of the Prime Minister of Georgia

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to discuss “robust cooperation” between the two countries. The Georgian Prime Minister condemned the terrorist attacks against Israel and emphasized the enduring high-level partnership and friendship between Georgia and Israel. The leaders also exchanged views on security challenges in their regions.

Panel Discussions

On January 17, the Prime Minister of Georgia participated in the panel discussion “Towards a Lead-Free Future.” Garibashvili noted the need for increased efforts to reduce lead poisoning around the world and highlighted Georgia’s progress in this area.

The Prime Minister of Georgia participated in the panel discussion titled “New Dawn of Eurasia?“. During the panel, he emphasized the significance of developing the Middle Corridor with Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, underscoring China’s keen interest in the project. The Prime Minister also highlighted Georgia’s commitment to modernizing essential infrastructure, including the Anaklia port, train railways, airports, and roads.

According to Garibashvili, all infrastructure projects, including the construction of highways like the East-West Expressway, are scheduled for completion within the year, while other crucial initiatives are set to conclude within two years.

Additionally, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the leaders of European Union member states for granting Georgia EU candidate status. He reiterated concerns about Russia’s occupation of 20% of Georgia and called for peace in the region. In this context, Garibashvili expressed hope for the prompt signing of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Meetings of the Foreign Minister of Georgia

Foreign Minister of Georgia Ilia Darchiashvili met with Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Hanke Bruins Slot on the sidelines of the Economic Forum in Davos. The parties discussed the “close friendly partnership” between the two countries, and the Dutch Foreign Minister expressed her readiness to actively cooperate with Georgia on its path to Euro-integration.

Foreign Ministers also touched upon the growing number of high-level meetings between the countries, as well as economic cooperation and Dutch investment potential in Georgia. Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot expressed her strong support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Foreign Minister Darchiashvili held a meeting with the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Ministers assessed bilateral relations, highlighting trade and economic ties, the potential for increased people-to-people connections, and collaboration in culture, education, and tourism. The discussion also addressed regional challenges, with a focus on the imperative for sustainable development.

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