Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili led a high-level Georgian delegation to New York to attend the 77th United Nations General Assembly where he addressed the international body on behalf of Georgia. The Prime Minister emphasized Georgia’s support for and solidarity with Ukraine amid the Russian invasion and highlighted the steps taken by the Government to advance Georgian EU and transatlantic aspirations.
Durrng his speech, the Prime Minister emphasized that Georgia stands with Ukraine and discussed the comprehensive support Georgia has provided since the onset of the conflict. “Since the start of the war, our government has provided substantial humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including the allocation of more than 1,000 tons of humanitarian aid. Georgia provides financial assistance and accommodation to over 32,000 Ukrainians currently residing in our country.”
The Prime Minister further highlighted Georgia’s own experience facing Russian aggression and urged UN members to acknowledge the ongoing acts of aggression against members of the body. He specifically noted that Russia has occupied 20% of Georgian territory since 2008 and that the world’s democracies must unite if freedom and peace are to prevail.
Prime Minister Garibashvili also discussed Georgia’s substantial progress since 2012 and his optimism for future successes. The Prime Minister said that since 2012, Georgia has implemented an “ambitious reform agenda that brought us closer to our key international partners,” and that “Georgia is continuing our unequivocal path towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration.”
The Georgian delegation met with various U.S. officials during the trip. Prime Minister Garibashvili attended a dinner hosted by President Biden and the First Lady, and met with U.S. State Department Counsellor Derek Chollet to discuss issues of mutual interest within the U.S.-Georgia bilateral relationship. Additionally, Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili met with Assistant Secretary Karen Donfried, where he welcomed the recent appointment of Ambassador Philip Reeker as the Senior U.S. Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations.