Georgia, Tbilisi, Feb. 9 / Trend N. Kirtskhalia /
During his visit to Italy, Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze met with his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini. The sides discussed issues of bilateral cooperation, as well as prospects for expanding Georgian-Italian economic and cultural relations, Georgia's Foreign Ministry Information and Press Department told Trend .
The Georgian minister informed his Italian counterpart on the situation in Georgia, including the occupied territories. He stressed the importance of the EU observer mission and Geneva talks.
The parties also discussed urgent issues of cooperation with NATO and the EU. Special attention in EU-Georgia relations was paid to the prospect of deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the Eastern Partnership, the simplification of the visa regime with Georgia and the importance of an concluding the agreement on free trade and association.
The Italian minister reiterated his country's support for Georgia's territorial integrity.
After the meeting, the ministers held a press conference and summarized the discussed issues.
During the visit, Vashadze will also meet Italian MPs, Italian Parliamentary Delegation Chairman to the OSCE Riccardo Migliori, and World Food Program Executive Director Ezettoy Shirani.
Vashadze also held a briefing for journalists of the Ansa National Agency Associated Press.
He will finish his trip to Italy Feb. 9.