Address of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ms Maia Panjikidze at the Ambassadorial Meeting held from the 2nd to the 4th of September 2013

On the 2nd of September 2013, at the meeting of the Heads of Georgian Diplomatic Missions Abroad held at the Radisson Hotel in Tbilisi, the Georgian Foreign Minister addressed the attending audience.

From the very outset of her speech the Minister made the point that the power transition through elections and the new government's series of political and institutional reforms based on the principle of checks-and-balances between the various branches of the government gives the country a unique opportunity to take up its rightful place in the big European family.

It was emphasized that Georgia's foreign policy course is defined by the Georgian people and reflects a free choice made in favour for building a state, which will be oriented towards European values and human security. According to the Minister, the European and Euro-Atlantic course creates a momentous benchmark for Georgian people to achieve. In view of this, Georgia's foreign policy priorities and course have not undergone any strategic change since 1 October 2012 parliamentary elections. From the tactical standpoint, however, Georgia's foreign policy course is now based on more pragmatic and rational grounds.

In her address the Georgian Foreign Minister devoted particular attention to the European and Euro-Atlantic integration policy and to future plans in this regard. She noted that the Vilnius Summit must turn into a crucial event that will make the process of Europeanization of Eastern European partner nations irreversible. Taking a realistic view of the existing situation, the Minister stressed that the integration with NATO is a complicated and phased process. However, she expressed her hope that the progress achieved by Georgia will be duly assessed and reflected in respective decisions of the Alliance. Particular mention was made of the importance of further activating relations with Georgia's strategic partner - the United States of America.

The Minister underscored the need to achieve a step-by-step de-escalation of tensions and an eventual settlement of relations with the Russian Federation, paying particular attention to the positive fact that the new Government's constructive steps have already been reciprocated by Russia.

Moves made towards the normalization of relations, however, have been considerably hampered by Russia's recent illegal activities in the occupied territories of Georgia. The Georgian side retains a peaceful stance and consistently pursues its pragmatic policy. The Minister expressed her hope that the rational and constructive approaches if adopted by both sides will sooner or later yield relevant outcomes.

Actions carried out by the Georgian Foreign Ministry within the frames of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy were also the highlights of the Minister's speech. The Minister outlined specific priority areas in relations with the neighbouring countries, Europe and North America, Central Asia, the Middle East and the Arabic countries, South and East Asia, Africa, Australia, the Pacific Rim countries and the Latin American regions. Tasks in economic and cultural diplomacy were identified. The urgent importance of confidence building measures among Abkhazian and Ossetian population, as well as the non-recognition policy was reaffirmed.

In the final part of her address, Minister Panjikidze focused on the aim to transform the Foreign Ministry into a modern European-style state agency and internationally acclaimed institution, which will retain political impartiality, and which will be able to face any challenge and function properly by adopting pragmatic and rational approaches. In this regard, she conveyed her special gratitude to UNDP, which supports and funds the process of reformation of the Georgian Foreign Ministry based on the example of European Foreign Ministries. In this light the Minister made a review of the steps already taken to ensure the systemic development of the Foreign Service, namely: holding open and transparent contests to fill up the existing staff vacancies; conducting a thorough and comprehensive work to fully implement the practice of rotation; strengthening the Training Centre of the Ministry to promote the professional development of diplomatic personnel; expanding the institute of Georgia's honorary consuls abroad.

On a final note, the Minister thanked the attending audience for their presence and expressed her hope that the mutually beneficial cooperation with partner countries will become even more successful in the future.

 

Attached documents:
Address of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ms Maia Panjikidze at the Ambassadorial Meeting on 2-4 September 2013