Geocase has held a webinar on Georgia-Germany bilateral relations in the aftermath of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s visit to Georgia.
H.E. Ernst Peter Fischer, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to Georgia, was a special guest and a webinar speaker. Victor Kipiani, the Chairman of Geocase moderated the discussions.
Ambassador Fischer briefly overviewed the German Foreign Minister’s official visit to Georgia and the massage that she delivered to the government officials and the Georgian society.
The Ambassador mentioned that the German Foreign Minister's visit was conducted at a time of great opportunities but also risks and challenges, particularly with the focus on December 2023 when the EU council will decide on Georgia’s candidacy status. According to him, Minister Baerbock made it very clear that it is in German interests if Georgia receives the EU candidacy status, however, it’s up to Georgia to meet the standard that’s required to receive the mentioned status and then to join the EU.
“We welcome Georgia to the EU, at the same time, we must ensure that our own standards of the rule of law, freedom of media, and human rights, in other words, the core values of a sustainable, pluralistic democracy are met.” - noted Ambassador Fischer.
According to him, the EU member states as well as the Eastern European counties which joined the EU later, have benefited immensely from stability, economic development and prosperity and peace. That’s what’s on the table for Georgia and it’s important not to miss the opportunity.
Ambassador Fischer also noted: “Accession to the EU is about a balance between our rules and criteria on the one hand and pragmatism and the geopolitical view on the other. We don’t want to leave a vacuum here for Russia to benefit or to try to benefit from.”
He stressed the significance of depolarization of the Georgian society and recommended that the Georgian side improve and intensify communication with European capitals.
During the discussions, Victor Kipiani emphasized strong partnership and solid bilateral relations between Georgia and Germany, as well as Germany’s significant contribution to facilitating Georgia’s development. He also stressed: “The decision that we are waiting for, it’s not just about Georgia’s getting a candidacy status, if our trying is unsuccessful, it would not be just Georgia’s failure but it will be the EU’s failure as well. Winning by Georgia is also winning by the European Union and, at the same time, losing by Georgia would be a failure of the EU policies in Georgia and in the region.”
The speakers also touched on Georgia’s prospects of new economic opportunities in terms of the middle corridor concept and the Black Sea submarine cable project. As it was mentioned, if Georgia becomes a member of the EU, it can be an anchor of stability and growth for the rest of South Caucasus.
Watch the webinar recording
