Slovak Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok, visiting Tbilisi on October 17-18, has met today with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, top diplomat David Zalkaliani and Parliament Speaker Kakha Kuchava.
The top Slovak diplomat and Georgian PM discussed sectoral cooperation, developing trade ties and bolstering tourism cooperation, the Georgian Government’s press service reported.
The sides also touched upon Georgia’s European integration, 2024 EU membership application bid and engagement between the EU and the Associated Trio format of Tbilisi, Kyiv and Chișinău.
“Slovakia and Georgia have close and strong relations based on shared European values,” tweeted PM Garibashvili after the meeting, adding: “With joint efforts we will unleash full potential of our cooperation.”
The Slovak Foreign Minister said he underlined at the meeting that political stability and reforms are key to achieve Georgia’s goals towards the EU. “Also discussed new neighborhood initiatives for South Caucasus,” he noted in a tweet.
In FM Korčok’s meeting with Georgian counterpart, the sides discussed among other matters the December 2021 Eastern Partnership Summit, the Georgian Foreign Ministry reported. The diplomats also talked about the human rights and humanitarian situation in Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia, as well as arbitrary detentions along the occupation line and the illegal “borderization.”
Stressing that an independent judiciary is “key,” the Slovak FM said he encouraged Georgian officials “to continue reforms.” Besides, FM Korčok noted his meeting with Georgian counterpart focused on bilateral ties, regional situation and global challenges.
With Parliament Speaker Kakha Kuchava, the top Slovak diplomat noted that he discussed the implementation of reforms and democratic consolidation. He added that they agreed on the necessity to enhance bilateral parliamentary ties.
The meeting was attended by opposition lawmakers as well, including Badi Japaridze of Lelo and Khatuna Samnidze of Group for Charles Michel’s Reforms faction.
FM Korčok also hosting a Slovak-Georgian business forum with Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava. The top diplomat concluded his visit on October 18.
This article was updated.
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