Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with Karl Nehammer, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria.

At the face-to-face meeting, the key directions of the bilateral agenda and productive cooperation between the two countries were discussed along with prospects of deeper cooperation.

Special emphasis was placed on the importance of the visit of Austria’s Federal Chancellor to Georgia, and it was noted that this visit confirms the strong support of Austria for Georgia and demonstrates that Georgia is Austria’s important geostrategic partner.

According to the Prime Minister, Georgia and Austria enjoy close friendly relations and partnership grounded in common European values and interests. He emphasized that, in Georgia Austria has a reliable partner promoting the protection of common European values and interests in the region and beyond for the benefit of peace and stability. The importance of joint effort to overcome the challenges in the region and the world was underlined.

At the meeting, the Black Sea submarine electric cable linking the Caucasus Region and Europe was also discussed. The project’s strategic importance was emphasized.

The conversation touched on Georgia’s progress toward European integration, and emphasis was placed on the importance of the unwavering political support of the Republic of Austria on the path to EU membership. Irakli Garibashvili thanked Karl Nehammer for supporting Georgia’s European integration, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

At the meeting, a wide array of bilateral relations was discussed, including aspects pertaining to trade and economic cooperation in the directions of tourism and energy. The significance of tapping into the full economic potential existing between the two countries was pointed out.