Iceland and Georgia share common values and interests
Iceland’s President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson welcomed Georgia’s aspirations to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and pledged his country’s support for Georgia’s integration process. President Jóhannesson made these remarks during his official visit to Georgia on March 5-6, 2024, where he met with Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili and other high-ranking officials.
President Jóhannesson said that Iceland and Georgia share common values and interests, such as democracy, human rights, rule of law, and peace and security in the region. He praised Georgia’s progress in implementing reforms and strengthening its defense capabilities, as well as its contribution to NATO-led missions and operations. He also expressed his solidarity with Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and condemned Russia’s occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Georgia’s NATO integration is a strategic priority
President Zourabichvili thanked President Jóhannesson for Iceland’s consistent support for Georgia’s NATO integration, which is a strategic priority for Georgia. She said that Georgia is ready to become a full-fledged member of the alliance, and that it expects the NATO summit in 2024 to reaffirm the decision made at the Bucharest summit in 2008, which stated that Georgia will become a member of NATO.
President Zourabichvili also highlighted the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation between Iceland and Georgia in various fields, such as trade, tourism, education, culture, and renewable energy. She invited President Jóhannesson to visit Georgia again in the near future.
Iceland and Georgia sign a memorandum of understanding
During the visit, Iceland and Georgia signed a memorandum of understanding on political consultations between the foreign ministries of both countries. The memorandum was signed by Iceland’s Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson and Georgia’s Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani.
The memorandum aims to facilitate regular dialogue and exchange of views on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. It also provides a framework for enhancing cooperation in various sectors, such as trade, investment, tourism, education, culture, and science.
The two foreign ministers also discussed the situation in the South Caucasus, the Eastern Partnership, the European Union, and the United Nations. They agreed to continue working together to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond.
