· Foreign Secretary
underlines UK’s unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty and
territorial integrity during high-level talks with Georgian
counterpart.
· Combatting hybrid threats
from Russia, strengthening support for Ukraine and supporting
Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations were top of the
agenda.
The UK reiterated its commitment to the security and stability of
Georgia today as the country faces increasing Russian
aggression.
Known as the ‘Wardrop Dialogue’, UK Foreign Secretary hosted Georgia’s Foreign
Minister Ilia Darchiashvili at Lancaster House in London
(Thursday 26 January) for the eighth annual UK-Georgia Strategic
Dialogue, telling Minister Darchiashvili that the UK would stand
by Georgia for the long term.
The Foreign Secretary used the meeting to underline the UK’s
unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial
integrity, which continue to be challenged by Russian hybrid
tactics since their 2008 war, including through ongoing
construction of barbed wire fences along the Administrative
Boundary Lines with the breakaway territories of Abkhazia
and South Ossetia.
He also welcomed Georgia’s support in the fight against Putin’s
illegal war of Ukraine by providing vital humanitarian aid,
including providing power generators, and supporting refugees
forced to flee their homes.
The Foreign Secretary recognised Russia’s invasion of
Ukraine demonstrated the need to enhance and deepen
cooperation with countries, including Georgia, that are
particularly vulnerable to Russian aggression.
He also set out the UK’s commitment to playing a leading
role in supporting Georgia to strengthen resilience against
hybrid threats. This bolsters the wide-ranging assistance the UK
already provides to Georgia covering military cooperation, cyber
security and counter-disinformation.
During the meeting, the ministers agreed to increase cooperation
on a range of priorities including combatting Putin’s aggression
through continued collaboration on international sanctions and
supporting Georgia's aspirations for closer ties with NATO
through the Tailored Support Package.
UK Foreign Secretary said:
“Few understand the reality of Russian aggression better than
the people of Georgia.
“Today I reiterated that the UK stands with our Georgian
friends, and will continue our leading role in supporting them to
counter hybrid threats they continue to face from
Russia.”
As part of the dialogue, the foreign ministers also signed an
agreement to enhance cooperation on
readmissions.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
· The UK-Georgia Wardrop
Dialogue was set up in 2014, with the aim of agreeing areas for
cooperation across foreign and security policy for the year
ahead.
