On the 10th of September 2014, the Georgian Foreign Minister, Mr Maia Panjikidze met the Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria, Mr Sebastian Kurz, who is on his official visit in Georgia. This visit is of particular importance to Georgia in terms of deepening the already close relations between Georgia and Austria, reports GHN based on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting between the two Ministers, discussions focused on a broad spectrum of bilateral and multilateral co-operation. Positive appraisal was given to the dynamic of trade-economic relations. Special emphasis was put on the importance of further deepening inter-parliamentary co-operation. The Georgian Foreign Minister expressed her gratitude to the Austrian Development Agency for its activity in Georgia and for its contribution to the economic development of Georgia.
Special attention was paid to the process of Georgia's European integration. Sebastian Kurz highlighted the successes Georgia has achieved and reaffirmed the country's readiness to provide expert assistance in the implementation of the Association Agreement and in the process of economic integration with the European Union.
Talking points included the situation in the occupied territories of Georgia. Sebastian Kurz reaffirmed the Austrian Government's support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Prior to the official meetings, the Austrian Minister laid a wreath before the Memorial of Heroes who fell for the unity of the country. Maia Panjikidze thanked her Austrian counterpart for the involvement of Austrian monitors in the EU Monitoring Mission.
The Ministers also discussed issues regarding regional security emphasizing the importance of the involvement of international community in the peaceful settlement of the crisis in Ukraine. The Georgian and Austrian Foreign Ministers mentioned with satisfaction the close co-operation in the fields of culture and education.
The Austrian Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs will hold meetings with the President and the Prime Minister of Georgia.
The official visit of the Austrian Minister will be paralleled by a Georgian-Austrian business forum, which will be opened by the Foreign Ministers.
Mr Sebastian Kurz will also hold meetings with high ranking officials of the Georgian Government in order to discuss the current co-operation in the fields of energy, economy, infrastructure, environment protection and natural resources.