Polish FM highlights his country’s support for Georgia, discusses ex-pres. Saakashvili’s issue with Georgian counterpart

Zbigniew Rau, the Polish Foreign Minister, who is on an official visit in Georgia, on Thursday reaffirmed his country’s support for Georgia’s independence, peace and Euro-Atlantic integration, saying he had discussed the topics related to the currently imprisoned  former president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili with his Georgian counterpart at the country’s foreign office. 

 

“We have also discussed the situation surrounding former president Saakashvili. On all these issues, Poland is trying to find constructive connections and ways of possible assistance. We believe that joint cooperation between Poland and Georgia will serve our national interests,” he said during the joint press briefing with Georgian foreign minister Ilia Darchiashvili. 

 

In his comments the visiting official also highlighted Georgia’s “sovereign rights” to choose its own developing models and join the blocs it wished, adding that Geogians enjoyed “great sympathy” in his country. 

 

Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili has also hosted the official in his office and discussed bilateral ties, the government press office said, adding Garibashvili had thanked Rau for his government’s support for Georgia’s obtaining the European Union membership candidate status by the end of this year. 

 

Darchiashvili also stressed Poland’s support for Georgia’s EU integration was “vitally important”.

 

The Polish official visited Georgia late on Wednesday and will also meet with president Salome Zourabichvili before leaving the country on Friday.