Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze attended the 5th meeting of the European Political Community (EPC), in Budapest, Hungary, which was the first official meeting following Georgia’s parliamentary elections on 26 October.
Kobakhidze told reporters that the Georgian government has a “very clear” agenda and an “ambitious goal” to become an EU member by 2030.
The Prime Minister believes that compared to all candidate countries, “Georgia will be more ready to join the European Union in all respects.”
“At the recent elections, among other things, the fate of the country’s European future was decided. You know what the opposition’s plans were, and in the end, failing to implement those plans was crucial for the country to continue moving towards the EU,” the PM declared
As part of the Summit, PM Kobakhidze held meetings with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Robert Fico, Slovak Prime Minister, Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
The meeting with Charles Michel was focused on Georgia-EU relations. Kobakhidze said he had reaffirmed the government’s commitment to European integration and emphasized the importance of partner support and a fair approach in this process.
I had the opportunity to meet with European Council President Charles Michel during the 5th European Political Community Summit. We discussed Georgia-EU relations. I reaffirmed my government’s commitment to European integration and emphasized the importance of partner support and… pic.twitter.com/SsOpy3FaXc
— Irakli Kobakhidze (@PM_Kobakhidze) November 7, 2024
Remarking on a meeting with Robert Fico, the Georgian PM said he had thanked his Slovak counterpart for “strongly” supporting Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
“The Head of Government emphasized that European integration is one of the top priorities of the country’s foreign policy, and the support of partners in this process is of special importance. The parties also discussed sectoral cooperation, trade and economic potential, and fostering tourism. The Prime Minister invited his Slovak counterpart to pay an official visit to Georgia,” the government’s press office has said.
Had a productive meeting with 🇸🇰 Prime Minister H.E. Robert Fico during the European Political Community Summit in Budapest. We emphasized the strong bonds of friendship that have established a solid partnership between Georgia and Slovakia over the years. I expressed my sincere… pic.twitter.com/6fPWWMwnyS
— Irakli Kobakhidze (@PM_Kobakhidze) November 7, 2024
In talks with the CoE Secretary General, the duo was engaged “in a constructive discussion” on current challenges and prospects for future cooperation. “We are excited to deepen our partnership with the CoE, a leading international organization that plays a crucial role in fostering democracy, human rights, and the rule of law throughout Europe and beyond,” Kobakhidze wrote on X following the meeting.
Within the framework of the EPC, I had the privilege to meet with @alain_berset. We engaged in a constructive discussion on current challenges and prospects for future cooperation. We are excited to deepen our partnership with the CoE, a leading international organization that… pic.twitter.com/eQoPw2vfHi
— Irakli Kobakhidze (@PM_Kobakhidze) November 7, 2024
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic echoed meeting with the Georgian PM in his Instagram post, saying they had underscored readiness to further strengthen ties and the importance of improving bilateral relations and cooperation on their path to Europe.
“We agreed that commitment to peace and stability in the region is of essential importance for the European continent,” the Serbian President stated.
Within the scope of the Summit, PM Kobakhidze participated in the Economic Security and Connectivity panel discussion, drawing attention to the importance of economic diversification for reinforcing sustainable economic development.
According to his press office, PM Kobakhidze underlined Georgia’s role in terms of bettering connectivity with the EU, pointing out ongoing and planned large infrastructural projects in the area of transport, including the completion of the East-West Freeway, railroad modernization, and the construction of the Anaklia Deep-Sea Port.
In his speech, the Prime Minister also paid attention to the significance of energy security and the role of the Black Sea Submarine Project.
Kobakhidze, in discussing transit potential, noted that “Georgia remains a dependable and reliable partner of the EU in the wider region.”
The EPC Summit was opened by Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, the country presently presiding over the Council of the EU.
Chaired by the Prime Minister of Latvia, the closed-format discussion saw the participation of the leaders of Estonia, Portugal, Serbia, Turkey, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Moldova, and other countries.
