Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

Georgia is seeking to improve its relations with Russia, but Euro-Atlantic integration remains a priority for the country, Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze said during an official visit to Latvia on Monday, Azerbaijan's Trend news agency reported.

"We will try to improve our relations with Russia, but we will not join any alliance or union except the European Union and NATO," Panjikidze said following a meeting with her Latvian counterpart Edgars Rinkevics.

According to Panjikidze, the new Georgian government complies with public will and the country will continue its policy of integration into Western institutions.

Panjikidze said she was aware of Western concerns over human rights and the rule of law in Georgia. She urged not to dramatize the situation and wait for the results of the investigation into the activity of the prominent members of the former Georgian government.

On the same day, Panjikidze met with Latvian President Andris Berzins. Issues of bilateral relations and cooperation between Georgia and Latvia, as well as prospects of Georgia's integration into the EU and NATO were discussed, the Georgian Foreign Ministry said.

Panjikidze also had talks with Latvian Parliament Speaker Solvita Aboltina.

"The visit to Latvia is of great importance," Panjikidze told Georgian journalists in Riga. "As is known, the Baltic republics help Georgia and support our integration into European and Euro-Atlantic entities. Establishment of direct contacts with our Latvian friends and informing them of the main directions of our foreign and domestic policy was very important."

During her European tour, which takes place on January 10-15, Panjikidze also paid her first official visit to Lithuania. Panjikidze met with Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius and Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius, on January 10-12, civil.ge reported.

The Lithuanian president said after the meeting with the Georgian foreign minister last Friday that Vilnius was committed to supporting Georgia's "path towards Western democracy."

"It is very important for Georgia to maintain the chosen direction, continue the initiated work and successfully implement the reforms that are essential to its people. Today Georgia should demonstrate its capacity to apply the norms and values of the European political life," President Grybauskaite said.

According to the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry, during the talks Foreign Minister Linkevicius stressed the importance of the rule of law and "urged to avoid actions which could be seen as persecution of political opponents." He also drew the attention "to some challenges related to the investment climate that the Lithuanian business community was facing in Georgia," the ministry said.

Panjikidze's next official visit within her European tour is to the Czech Republic on Tuesday. She is due to hold a meeting with her colleagues as well as with senior representatives of the executive and legislative authorities.