Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Relations with Russia, the U.S., EU and NATO are the priority of Georgian foreign policy, according to the government's program titled "For a strong, democratic, united Georgia" presented to Parliament for approval.

On November 19, parliamentary committees and factions started considering the program of Georgia's new government led by Irakli Garibashvili.

"Georgia will try to gradually overcome the existing crisis in relations with Russia by protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country," the program says.

"Georgian-Russian dialogue's bilateral format will be preserved and this should contribute to the solution of the existing problems on the basis of the interests of Georgia."

At the same time, Garibashvili's government intends to continue participating in the Geneva talks in order to settle the Russian-Georgian conflict, and "is not going to give up on status of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region to Russia."

"The government, with the help of strategic partners of our country and friendly countries, will continue its efforts for effective policy of non-recognition regarding the occupied territories of the country and will use all international levers for the final de-occupation of Georgia", the program said.

Along with that, the new government assures that the foundation of Georgia's foreign policy will be both to ensure the national security and territorial integrity of the country and its aspiration to join EU and NATO.

According to the program, Georgia's new government will complete all the necessary procedures for the start of the Association Agreement with the EU and at the same time intends to continue active integration into NATO.

The main ally of Garibashvili's government is the United States of America.

"We will focus strong efforts to deepen the dialogue at the highest level with the U.S. in the field of trade and investment, including the initiation of the free trade agreement that will further strengthen the strategic partnership," the program noted.

Georgia's new cabinet will be approved on November 20. According to the norms of the new Constitution of Georgia, the government led by Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili stepped down automatically after new President Giorgi Margvelashvili's oath on November 17. The new president must formally submit his candidate for the prime minister post, who in turn, will present the new cabinet to Georgia's Parliament.

The activities of the Georgian government will be fully defined by Garibashvili, who will be answerable only to the Parliament of the country. However, the president will be able to require the government to consider specific issues.