Embassy of Georgia - 10.31.2003

Embassy of Georgia

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Visits Israel


Irakli Menagarishvili, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia paid an official visit to Israel from October 27 through October 31, 2003. Minister Menagarishvili met with the President of Israel Moshe Katsav, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, members of the Knesset and other Israeli officials. The two sides discussed a full range of bilateral, regional and international issues, including the global war on terrorism.

"Israel and Georgia both have much to gain from increased trade relations and joint economic endeavors. I look forward to working with my colleague to advance such initiatives, including major projects like the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline,” declared Minister Shalom after the meeting of the two ministers on October 27. He also said that the two countries “agreed on the importance of international cooperation in the war against terror, and expressed commitment to ensuring that the values of democracy and stability will prevail over those of tyranny and fear." The two sides agreed to hold annual consultations on the level of foreign ministries over the issues that are of mutual interest to both countries, including ongoing processes in the South Caucasus and the Middle East, and cooperation in the International Organizations.

Minister Menagarishvili met also with representatives of the Georgian community in Israel which numbers 100,000 and is the largest outside the former Soviet Union. The community serves as a bridge of friendship and understanding between Israel and Georgia and as another reason for close cooperation between the two countries in many areas.