The “Ambassadors Series of ΤΟ ΒΗΜΑ International Edition” returns with its 9th episode to kick off the new season. In this installment, we were welcomed by the Georgian Ambassador to Greece, Levan Beridze.
It became immediately apparent that Greeks and Georgians have much in common, a fact that the ambassador was quick to point out once we started talking. “It hasn’t been tough,” Mr. Beridze tells us about his experience of settling in his new post in Athens as Georgia’s top emissary. “There are so many similarities between the two countries,” he says, highlighting the common traits of hospitality and the love of wine that the two peoples have in common. “Everywhere I went, I was met with a lot of warmth from the communities,” Mr. Beridge said, talking about his encounters with Greeks during his short trips around Greece.
The ambassador punctuates the deep historical ties connecting the two countries, going as far back as the mythological story of Jason and the Argonauts and the founding of Georgia, a fact he believes could be leveraged to further reinforce existing economic, cultural, and trade opportunities, as well as explore new avenues to increase trade in other sectors.
Although the two countries are steady trading partners, Mr. Beridze is convinced there is room for improvement by focusing on untapped niches in all economic fields to benefit both countries.
The Ambassador considers the current economic activity between Greece and Georgia “very low” in terms of volume, underlining that the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), a trade agreement Georgia is part of, which allows tariff-free trade between its members and EU member states, could further boost economic cooperation with Greece. “That is a huge incentive for companies to develop ties between the private sectors,” he says. Georgia’s ambassador goes on to focus on targeting and exploiting any gaps in the markets, including innovation and technology.
While the relations between Georgia and the EU have suffered a setback due to Georgia’s reforms to check the influence of NGO entities on domestic politics, the ambassador believes that this would not ultimately affect the course of EU integration for his country. “I assure you that our [Georgia’s] top priority is European integration,” he emphasized, adding that Georgia as a member of the EU would be a strong partner to the Union and bring more benefits to the table.
Finally, on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing conflict, Mr. Beridze is unambiguous, stating that his country stands firmly with the people of Ukraine, its sovereignty, and its territorial integrity.
Join ΤΟ ΒΗΜΑ International and “The Ambassadors Series” in these exclusive sit-down interviews to discover how these global leaders build bridges, foster connections, and shape the future—in the heart of the Mediterranean.
Stay tuned for our upcoming videos with the ambassadors of China, India, and other countries from Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the Pacific region.
