Georgia struggles with democracy

  • 2013-09-07
  • From wire reports

RIGA - Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis met with visiting Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili on Sept. 6, expressing the European Union’s concerns over recent arrests in Georgia, reports LETA.

During his meeting with Ivanishvili, Dombrovskis voiced concerns over the recent arrests and legal proceedings against several former officials, including Georgia’s ex-prime minister. He also emphasized the need for maximum transparency and called on the Georgian government to show the international community that these arrests are not politically motivated.

Dombrovskis also promised Latvia’s support in development cooperation, as well as support for Georgia’s efforts to adopt Europe’s legislation and other development matters.

Ivanishvili told Dombrovskis about the political situation in Georgia and the upcoming presidential elections. He confirmed that these elections “will not only be European, but also democratic and transparent.” Georgia’s foreign policy course - integration into Europe and NATO - will remain unchanged. The presidential elections will not change these strategic goals, since the people of Georgia have already spoken at a referendum.

“Integration in Europe and NATO is the goal of our international policy. There are no doubts about it,” emphasized the Georgian prime minister.

Ivanishvili also thanked Latvia for supporting Georgia’s integration efforts in Europe and NATO, and emphasized the common historical experience of both countries that has fostered the excellent relations between Latvia and Georgia in economy and politics.

Dombrovskis and Ivanishvili agreed that, alongside excellent political cooperation, it is necessary to improve economic cooperation, since there is still unexplored economic potential in Latvian-Georgian economic relations. As an example, Dombrovskis mentioned improving cooperation in trade and tourism.