Geocase organized discussions with decision-makers on the Georgian experience in the time of coronavirus. 

The special guest H.E. Salome Zourabichvili , President of Georgia opened discussions. H.E. Salome Zourabichvili highlighted: “COVID Crisis for Georgia has been like for everybody else a difficult experience. It has tested us in some respects, and I would say that we are past that test. It has tested our trust and democracy, and we have been able to manage what I would call a trust triangle - knowledgeable epidemiologists, effective government, and responsible society”.

H.E. Salome Zourabichvili mentioned: “We fully appreciate the substantial humanitarian, economic and financial support that we’ve received from the EU, from the whole international community, and international financial organisations. The fact that the European Union has included Georgia among the 15 safe countries and has renewed this inclusion just yesterday – is very important and very valued here. It’s not only a facility for Georgians to travel and for Europeans to come to Georgia, but it’s also a sign of the solidarity, that should remain in the future when it comes to access to the vaccine – that is an access that should be equally warranted for countries”.

Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, Mrs. Ekaterine Tikaradze presented to the diplomats a brief report on the Georgian experience in the time of coronavirus.

In the speech, Mrs. Ekaterine Tikaradze underlined the issue of rendering assistance to the population living in the occupied territories and noted that during this period the number of the persons entered for receiving healthcare services were unprecedentedly big. Three coronavirus cases were confirmed among these individuals. 

“In addition to accepting them in the Rukhi hospital, we render assistance on the site, providing tests, personal protective equipment, consultations; the WHO is actively involved as well”, - noted Mrs. Ekaterine Tikaradze. 

The Minister stressed, that amid the pandemic the importance of healthcare and the problems existing in the field became vivid to the public.  

“The main priorities of life were somehow reassessed. I think that after COVID, much stronger focus will be placed on healthcare since all the shortcomings existing in the healthcare sector of each country have become more clearly visible to the world. The significance of science and of the development of this field was also explicitly underlined”, - stated Mrs. Ekaterine Tikaradze. 

Geocase Chair Mr. Victor Kipiani emphasized: “We all know that great changes are taking place in Georgia, and stakeholders and partners must be kept fully informed of these changes in order to help them reach their own unbiased conclusions and make well-informed decisions. We must also work together to guide and support Georgia’s efforts to tackle the country’s most pressing needs and challenges, advising decision-makers on the right course of action to take”. “Georgia has managed challenges in the global crisis. Continuation of effective communication with our partners is an important precondition to overcome common challenges in the future,” – underlined Mr. Victor Kipiani. 

Research Fellow at Geocase Dr. Khatuna Burkadze talked about partners’ support in the time of coronavirus. She highlighted: “Given the global crisis can be handled through joint efforts. Partners have stood by Georgia and assisted us in tackling health, economic, social and other challenges”. “I hope we will highlight our strategic importance more intensively with obtaining new role including a digital hub in the region and deepen our ties with partners in the transformed international system to achieve our European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations,” – added Dr. Khatuna Burkadze.