site.btaDeputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Gabriel Meets with Georgian Foreign Minister Darchiashvili

On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel met with Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili. This is the first visit of a foreign minister from Georgia to Bulgaria in the past 10 years, at the invitation of Gabriel, said the Foreign Ministry.

The visit of Minister Darchiashvili to Sofia comes at a particularly important moment for Georgia and its European and Euro-Atlantic integration path. As a member state of the EU and NATO, which has gone through the long and sometimes difficult path of reforms, Bulgaria well understands the importance of the present moment for Georgia and supports its geopolitical choice, said Gabriel after the meeting.

She pointed out that long-standing, historical, friendly and cultural ties have been established between Bulgaria and Georgia, and both peoples share common values and aspirations. Gabriel also said that Bulgaria unconditionally supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders.

The meeting also focused on the important role of Georgia for security and stability in the Black Sea region, including in the current complex geopolitical context.
Gabriel recalled the decision of the European Council of June 2022, which granted a European perspective to Georgia. "Together with the Georgian Foreign Minister, we reviewed what has been achieved, and outlined the efforts made in each of the key areas. Bulgaria will continue to support Georgia on the path of its European integration," Gabriel stressed.

Among the other topics discussed at the meeting were connectivity in all its aspects, including regional, economic, infrastructural, digital.

The possibilities for deepening cooperation in the implementation of projects of common interest, in energy, communications, the field of high technologies and innovations, education and culture, were also discussed.