Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

Georgia is interested in establishing deeper relations with Germany, as strategic and special as it has with the United States, Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania said while opening the second Georgian-German strategic forum on Wednesday.

"Georgia and Germany have strategic relations," Alasania said. "It would be unfair not to acknowledge Georgian ex-president Eduard Shevardnadze's contribution to these relations. The new government follows the foreign policy pursued by the former government of the country and we are considering the Georgian-German relations as one of the most strategic relationships."

Alasania said that earlier there was even an excessive expectation of support from Germany.

"The Federal Republic of Germany is the strongest country in Europe both politically and economically," Alasania said. "Our servicemen fight in Afghanistan shoulder to shoulder and trust each other. Politicians should have confidence in each other, too. Through this strategic dialogue we will be able to find out more about mutual interests and expectations. We should learn from our past experience. Today, a new opportunity is emerging that Germany will take patronage over Georgia on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration."

Alasania also spoke about the deepening of relations between Georgia and Germany in the defense sector.

The second Georgian-German Strategic Forum in Tbilisi, supported by Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Atlantic Council of Georgia, was joined by representatives of German and Georgian governmental and non-governmental organizations. Its goal is to create a semi-formal platform for the government sector and NGOs working on issues of foreign and security policy, European integration and bilateral relations in the form of regular dialogue.

The participants eyed the German-Georgian strategic visions and interests, regional security, conflict resolution and Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Within the framework of the forum, recommendations will be elaborated on foreign and security issues, as well as on holding joint research and educational activities.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in April 1992. The areas of bilateral cooperation include the judiciary, civil society, market economy, local self-governance reforms; culture and education; military-political cooperation. 68 agreements are in effect between Georgia and Germany.

The German Business Association in Georgia (DWVG), an organization which comprises companies promoting bilateral German-Georgian economic relations, was established in 2007. The DWVG's aim is to enhance trade and economic relations between Germany and Georgia and to represent German business interests locally. Moreover, it operates as a service provider and supports German businesses in Georgia through promotional and networking activities, as well as research and consulting.