Georgia, Germany take big "friendship" steps
By Mushvig Mehdiyev
Friendly ties between Georgia and Germany will likely enter a new comprehensive phase following the announcement of 2017 as the Year of Friendship between both countries.
Tbilisi and Berlin rolled their sleeves up to cement mutual relations amid Georgia's strong aspirations to secure a permanent place at the European family's table.
Several cultural, educational and entertaining events in both countries will mark the Year of Friendship, highlighting its significance in terms of opening all-new prospects for better reciprocal ties.
Georgia's Foreign Minister, Tamar Beruchshvili as part of her visit to Berlin has held with her German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier the first meeting of Friendship Year steering group on May 6.
The steering group, led by the foreign ministers of Georgia and Germany, is comprised of well-known experts from different fields of culture, politics and science.
Both countries are set to solemnly celebrate the Year of Friendship in 2017.
Germany's recent addresses on Georgia's strong European aspiration highlight the more determined Berlin approach towards relations with Tbilisi.
Steinmeier has recently revealed his confidence that the results on Georgia's activities in view of the European integration in the European Commission report will be positive with no room for any negative findings. His assessment for the measures taken by Tbilisi in light of the visa-free travel rules with the EU has come as "impressive".
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has also expressed her full support for Georgia's decisive steps to enter the European family. She is planning to visit Tbilisi in the near future for reviewing the South Caucasus country's achievements.
The Georgian leadership announced overtly that the country belongs to the European civilization and that it wants to be part of the old continent. Knocking on Europe’s door serves Georgia's strong desire to be a European family member.
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