Peter Lukimson, Israel. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
Israeli President Shimon Peres invited the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakly Garibashvili, to his residence.
“I welcome the path of democratization which you have chosen and which returns a hope to your country. It is wonderful to see how Georgia returns to itself and gains stability. You have made important changes and now you have to continue following this track. Georgia, as well as Israel, has to pass through great changes. However, we have always seen a true friend in your country, and we appreciate the Georgian nation,” Peres told Garibashvili. Israeli President noted that the Georgian Premier arrived to the country, when its government had to make tough decisions on the peacemaking process. “But we are devoted to reaching peace as our main goal. At the same time, it is important for Arab countries to understand that their main problem is not in Israel’s existence,” Peres added.
“We consider Israel our true friend and pay great attention to relations between our countries,” Garibashvili said. “The history of Jews in Georgia began 2600 years ago, when they came to our land after destruction of the Temple. They became our family members, an integral part of our nation. That is why relations with Israel are so important for us. I came here to assure you that Israel is our big friend and important partner. I came here to improve and strengthen our partnership in various spheres of our cooperation.”
It is notable that Premier Benjamin Netanyahu preferred to begin a meeting with his Georgian colleague not from a discussion of relations between two countries, but from the Israeli-Palestinian problem. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel strives for peace, but it is impossible to reach it, until the Palestinian leadership continues incitement to violence, raises young people in a spirit of hatred and doesn’t recognize Israel as a Jewish state. “I say it because I know that Georgia strives to peace with all its neighbors as well,” Netanyahu added.
Netanyahu stated that Israeli-Georgian cooperation will develop rapidly in the near future, especially in the trade sphere. A new stage will begin in August 2014 due to deepening of relations between Israel and Georgia and the EU. Georgian Premier hopes for further development of many-sided ties between Israel and Georgia. Touching on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, 27 January, Garibashvili recalled the fate of Georgian priest David Paradzha who was shot dead by Nazis for an attempt to save Jews.
At the moment members of the Georgian delegation are continuing a marathon of meetings with ministers and leading politicians of Israel. The results of the meetings will be announced later.
