Mr. Didier Burkhalter congratulated his Georgian counterpart on the resolution on visa liberalisation for Georgians adopted by the EU Council on 17 February, 2017. Mikheil Janelidze reaffirmed Georgia’s European aspirations and the Government’s intention to get closer to Europe in terms of institutional development and standards.

The Ministers noted with satisfaction the remarkable bilateral relations between Georgia and Switzerland providing the solid groundwork for developing co-operation in various areas. Special note was taken of the importance of concluding the Agreement between Georgia and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The focus of the exchange was also the Swiss President’s possible visit to Georgia in 2017.

Security, humanitarian and human rights situation in Georgia’s occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia were also among the discussed topics. The Georgian Foreign Minister paid special attention to the Georgian government’s peace policy and to the necessity of peaceful resolution of the conflicts, through the active support of the international community.

Mikheil Janelidze expressed his gratitude for Switzerland’s mediation efforts in Georgia’s relations with Russia.