PM Kobakhidze Attends the Ukraine Recovery Conference

The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, attends the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) 2024, held in Berlin on June 11-12. The Conference brings together leaders from governments, businesses, and civil society to support the mobilization of international support for Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction, reform, and modernization.

“Today, we will once again state Georgia’s position on the events developing in the region in connection with Russia’s military aggression. Of course, we will reiterate our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we will once again express our readiness to contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine to the extent possible for our country,” PM Kobakhidze told the media in Berlin.

The PM also argued the people of Georgia feel “special solidarity” with the people of Ukraine and reiterated that Georgia has backed “more than 600 decisions, various acts, a resolution” supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and condemning Russia’s military aggression.

PM Kobakhidze’s political statements on Ukraine often parrot Moscow’s rhetoric in the past. Most recently, on May 31, he said Ukraine’s government was “appointed from the outside,” which Kyiv strongly rebutted as “unfriendly.”

Nonetheless, the PM argued in Berlin that Georgia’s position on supporting Ukraine is “very clear” and “very firm” and pointed to the humanitarian assistance that Georgia has provided to Ukraine since the Russian invasion. Admitting to “difficulties” in relations between the two countries’ governments, PM Kobakhidze stressed that this would not prevent Georgia from providing the “maximum support” to the Ukrainian people.

Prime Minister’s Statement

In the national statement, the Prime Minister reiterated that “Georgia firmly supports Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people” and emphasized Georgia’s support, including humanitarian aid, provided to Ukraine since the beginning of the war.

According to PM Kobakhidze, Georgia has not introduced national sanctions against Russia, but as for the international sanctions enforcement, “all relevant state agencies remain vigilant concerning sanctioned persons and goods. The Georgian government maintains close coordination with the European Union, Great Britain, the United States, and other states exercising control over the enforcement of sanctions.”

He reiterated that Georgians and Ukrainians “share not only similar experiences and strong bonds of friendship but also common aspirations for European integration.” The Georgian Prime Minister expressed belief “the Ukrainian people will soon achieve peace, and together we will celebrate full membership in the European Union.”

This article was updated on June 12 at 16:43 to reflect the national statement delivered by the Prime Minister of Georgia.

Also Read:

• 24/04/2024 – Georgia Extends Visa-Free Stay for Ukrainians to 3 Years
• 03/04/2024 – 44 States, Including Georgia Sign Declaration Calling for Hague Tribunal to Prosecute Russia
• 12/03/2024 – Ukrainian Official Outlines Three Conditions for “Normalizing” Relations with Georgia

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)