Ambassador’s Welcome Speech

I am honored to serve as the new Ambassador of Georgia accredited to the Republic of South Africa, the country of warm-hearted and friendly people, living in the land of fascinating nature and climate. Despite of the huge geographic distance between our countries, the friendly ties, which have been established since Georgia regained its independence, are getting ever stronger.  Our relations are based on the adherence to the overwhelming norms and principles of international law, respect for human rights, democracy, and sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nations. These are the main principles that will always guide our Embassy in its daily endeavors to expand and nourish our friendship.

Much has been done to attain these goals since the establishment of Georgian Embassy in Pretoria in 2011. Contacts between our respective Governments, parliaments, politicians and scholars, business people and artists have contributed to success of our cooperation. Georgia has become an attractive destination for South African businesses that wish to expand their outreach and look for new investment opportunities.  Our diplomats in South Africa shall make every effort to facilitate and develop these undertakings.

Our Embassy is committed to work closely with our Georgian diaspora, which albeit relatively small, is very active and efficient. Their assistance and their role in advancing people-to- people contacts  in South Africa is immense and we shall continue to help our compatriots in every way possible.

As a diplomat I have a unique opportunity to travel, which is dictated by my duties. I shall have the honor to be accredited to 12 countries of Southern African region, including Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar, DRC, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini and Mauritius. I am confident that we shall be equally successful in promoting Georgia and its interests in these countries and develop our friendly relations for the benefit of our peoples.

With the best wishes