Georgian President in Estonia: ‘lsquo;We are following the same path to the same future’

I am convinced that we will get where you are and we will be again in the same family, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili said at a joint press conference with her Estonian counterpart Kersti Kaljulaid in Tallinn today. The Georgian President, who is on an official visit to Estonia on May 16-17, said the two countries are following the same path to the same future. Speaking of her country’s European Union and NATO aspirations, President Zurabishvili said despite the Russian occupation of the two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, which aggravates the country’s path to EU and NATO, this is our victory that we have managed to’hellip; really move steadily, step-after-step, towards our ambition. She then noted that throughout decades, Georgia has moved from neighbourhood to partnership, from partnership to Association Agreement, Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area and visa liberalisation. If Russia’s intention was to prevent us, to block us down that road, it has not succeeded, President Zurabishvili said. It’s our victory and their defeat, it’s our common victory, because it’s also the victory of all the countries that have supported us, that are supporting us now, she addressed her Estonian counterpart. President Kaljulaid reiterated her country’s support for Georgia’s EU and NATO aspirations as well as its territorial integrity. Estonia stands firmly, side-by-side with Georgia, supporting your path to both of these organisations. Georgia belongs there, Kaljulaid stated. Georgia deserves it and Georgia needs to be involved in EU enlargement debates. Sooner or later this will happen, she added. Calling the occupation line an evil line breaking the country into parts the Estonian President said we will never forget to mention the issue among partners, allies, and the people who are not so friendly to us. President Zurabishvili also met with the Estonian Parliamentary Speaker Henn P’otilde;lluaas. The Georgian President also laid wreath at the War of Independence Victory Column and visited the Memorial to the Victims of Communism. She later exchanged views with Georgian diaspora and students. Tomorrow Salome Zurabishvili willmeet with Estonian Prime Minister J’uuml;ri Ratas and participate in the Lennart Meri Conference in Estonia. source: agenda.ge