Italy’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli, paid a working visit to Tbilisi, holding meetings on June 23 with Georgian Dream government officials and representatives of opposition parties.
Meetings with GD Government Officials
Cirielli met with Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, and the head of the government administration, Levan Zhorzholiani. The talks focused on the “friendly relations” between Georgia and Italy, “founded on shared European interests and values,” the government administration said.
The Georgian side also discussed the country’s “European integration process and the importance of Italy’s continued support on this path,” with Kobakhidze noting that Georgian government “stands ready to restore relations with the European Union based on mutual respect and to engage in constructive dialogue.”
“The parties welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral cooperation across various fields and reaffirmed their readiness to further deepen both political and trade-economic ties,” the press release added.
On the same day, the “fifth round of bilateral political consultations” between the foreign ministries of Georgia and Italy was held. The Georgian delegation was led by First Deputy FM Giorgi Zurabashvili, while the Italian side was headed by Cirielli.
“The parties discussed key issues on the bilateral and multilateral cooperation agenda within the framework of the friendly relations between Georgia and Italy, as well as plans for future high-level visits,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry said, adding that “they emphasized the active dynamics of cooperation in the fields of trade and economy, energy, tourism, defence, culture, education and other sectors.”
“Particular attention was paid to the Middle Corridor and to Georgia’s role as a regional connector and transport hub.”
Italy’s deputy foreign minister also met with Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, with Tbilisi City Hall reporting that the sides discussed bilateral relations and “the significance of deepening cooperation in various directions.” City Hall’s press release quoted Kaladze as saying during the meeting that “Georgia has openly declared European course, but we see unfair attitude on this path,” adding that “we don’t fight against anyone, we just protect the interests of our country and our people.”
Meeting with the Opposition
Cirielli also met representatives of several opposition parties, who later commented to the media on the discussion.
Badri Japaridze, one of the leaders of the Lelo-Strong Georgia coalition, described the meeting as “informative.” According to him, “Italy has a very firm decision that Georgia must not be lost to the European Union. Italy will do everything for this. Of course, there are the challenges that exist in our country today; they are very well aware of these, and they intend to speak about this today, at their meeting with the government.”
Nika Gvaramia, leader of Ahali party, said the discussion covered the deteriorating health of jailed leader of Droa party Elene Khoshtaria, among others.
“Today, Georgia should be talking to Italy as one of the main recipients of rare metals, rare minerals from Central Asian countries, and the only route here is Georgia and the Black Sea. Why don’t we have this route?… Because Bidzina Ivanishvili is in the country today. When [Ivanishvili] is gone, there will be a route, there will be everything, and this is not only in Georgia’s interests, it is in Italy’s interests as well.”
European Georgia leader Gigi Tsereteli said the meeting covered a wide range of issues, including “political prisoners” and Khoshtaria’s health condition. According to him, the Italian side “understands the problems that exist in Georgia, however, their approach is less rigid, more dialogue-oriented.”
United National Movement (UNM) member Giorgi Baramidze said opposition representatives stressed that “this [Georgian Dream] regime does not represent the Georgian people,” and that “this policy of isolating the regime must continue.” He added, “If we are talking about sanctions, sanctions must be imposed on the regime and not on the Georgian people, and of course, we spoke about political prisoners.”
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