Polish FM met with Georgian FM and President

In his position as the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau met Georgian senior diplomat David Zalkaliani.

In a news conference following the meeting, Foreign Minister Zalkaliani stated, "the visit clearly confirms that the OSCE Chairpersonship supports Georgia, especially during this tough period for the entire globe as well as our area." Georgia's top diplomat said he discussed "Russia's deliberate assault against Ukraine" with his Polish colleague, adding that "Georgia strongly condemns this action, which gravely breaches international law, especially international humanitarian law."

FM Zalkaliani then went on to say that Georgia and Ukraine confront comparable security issues. "In 2008, Georgia was the first [country] to be attacked, resulting in the takeover of our country's regions and the forceful displacement of hundreds of thousands of people."

Considering this, Georgia's senior diplomat stated that the country is ready to help Poland's attempts to "resolve the present problem amicably" during the OSCE Chairpersonship. The parties emphasised the necessity of attaining peace and stability in the South Caucasus, which "is an essential precondition for growth and long-term welfare," according to FM Zalkaliani. "The escalation of the current crisis in the region has had a significant impact on the whole region and security," said FM Zalkaliani, adding that Tbilisi is prepared to serve as a "platform of conversation between the three South Caucasus nations."

In his speech, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office highlighted that “Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine and destructive actions against several other countries in the OSCE area — with Georgia being one of the most vivid examples — are clearly an attempt to forcefully redraw the borders in Europe.” He stressed that Russia’s actions are directed “not only against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of particular states like Georgia, Ukraine, or Moldova, but also against the fundamental principles of European security.” FM Rau promised that while Poland is chairing the OSCE, Warsaw will do "all possible" to keep the crisis in Georgia "high on the international agenda. Our goal is to retain open channels of communication between the participants in the Geneva International Discussions to avoid purposeful and inadvertent escalation," he added.

In Tbilisi, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau met with Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, and First Deputy Parliament Speaker Gia Volski in his position as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. In separate discussions, Minister Rau and Georgian officials addressed Russia's assault against Ukraine and its consequences for regional security, particularly for Georgia.

During her discussion with Rau, Zourabichvili praised Poland's assistance for Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees amid the conflict. According to the President's press staff, she said that Warsaw's actions have proved that Poland is one of the European Union's leaders.

Danish FM visited Georgia

In Tbilisi, Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod met with Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, and MPs.

Kofod covered the Russian invasion of Ukraine, regional security problems, Georgia's EU membership quest, and the situation in Russian-occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia in his discussions with Georgian authorities. "Russia's hostility hasn't slowed us down on our way to Europe. The EU's legitimate response to this assault is the new window of opportunity," Zourabichvil told Denmark's top ambassador.

According to the article, the Danish top diplomat underlined his support for Georgia's objectives and emphasised that the country belongs in the European family.

PM Garibashvili also conveyed his wish for international support for Tbilisi's EU membership quest with the Danish ambassador on March 31, according to a news release from the Georgian government. "It was emphasised on behalf of Denmark that Georgia would have full support in this respect," the announcement stated.

FM Kofod was joined by a bipartisan group of Danish legislators, including Foreign Affairs Committee head Bertel Haarder, to the Georgian Parliament. FM Zalkaliani focused on Russia's war against Ukraine at a news conference following the meeting, saying that the Danish diplomat's presence during the conflict "was another evidence of the support and solidarity" Georgia receives from its allies and EU states. They addressed "what can be done for the international community to be unified and engaged so that aggression and conflict cease, so that the world can return to an international agenda based on principles of international law," according to the senior diplomat. FM Zalkaliani also mentioned the newly announced "referendum" for South Ossetia to join Russia when discussing the Russian occupation. "It is unthinkable to debate any referendums while Russia occupies Georgia's land," he said, adding that any such vote would be invalid "against the backdrop of hundreds of thousands of our countrymen being evicted from their homes."

The Danish FM also slammed "Putin's unlawful war on Ukraine, aggression, and conquest war" in his address. In reaction to the situation in Ukraine, he stated that Denmark firmly supports "strong sanctions and concerted diplomatic effort. We're going to do a lot more. We're not finished yet. We're not going to stop until Putin puts an end to the conflict in Ukraine."