Tbilisi, 14 July 2022 (TDI): The Foreign Minister of Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili, held a farewell meeting with EU Ambassador to Georgia, Carl Hartzell as the Ambassador’s diplomatic term in Georgia comes to an end.
Delighted to meet @CarlHartzellEU as he completes his tenure as EU ambassador to 🇬🇪. Once again Highlighted 🇬🇪’s irreversible progress to 🇪🇺. Thanked Ambassador Hartzell for his important role in deepening 🇪🇺🇬🇪 relations. pic.twitter.com/0nAVoQPZ3u
— Ilia Darchiashvili (@iliadarch) July 12, 2022
During the meeting, the two discussed how EU and Georgia’s relations have changed over time and how they have progressed towards a positive end. They also discussed the procedure of implementing the EU’s complex reforms in the state of Georgia.
The Foreign Minister of Georgia added that according to many international ratings and standards, Georgia stood in an advanced position as long as EU’s Eastern Partners are concerned and that he is hopeful that Georgia would continue to strive for future progress as well in the process of European Integration path.
The two also discussed the security and humanitarian situation in lands of Georgia occupied by Russia and the importance of the EU’s Monitoring Mission in Georgia.
Ambassador Carl Hartzell assured the Foreign Minister of the European Union’s support for preserving the sovereignty of Georgia.
The meeting ended with the Foreign Minister thanking the Diplomat for his work that has strengthened the relationship between the EU and Georgia. He said it has also helped Georgia to progress and he hoped the services of the Ambassador receive the same recognition from the EU.
Georgia-EU Relations:
Georiga and the EU have maintained a relationship since 1996 and most of the parties in Parliament and Government working in Georgia are pro-Western supporting Georgia’s integration into the EU.
Since 2009, EU Monitoring Mission has been working in the state but it was not until 2022 when the official application for Georgia’s addition to the EU was submitted and official monitoring for the implementation of EU’s reforms in Georgia began.
Georgia’s Foreign Minister pointed out that Georgia does have an advanced position since it has relatively progressed in the implementation of EU’s reforms and Georgia’s citizens also enjoy visa-free travel to European Union.
