Today Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, accompanied by Vice-Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Baramidze, has visited the Abkhazian-Georgian family reunification centre (Kobuleti city, western Georgia), which brings together families broken by the war in Abkhasia. “While in Georgia, we can better understand how fortunate Lithuania was at the time of the collapse of the USSR. We did not experience the horrors of war and separation of families; we were more fortunate, hence we want to help”, said Kubilius.

The majority of people arrive to the centre from Abkhasia to visit their relatives and family members in Georgia following their separation during the war. The Embassy of Lithuania in Georgia has been actively participating in providing support to the family reunification centre: Lithuania funds its activities in compliance with the Development Cooperation Programme.    

The Prime Minister has also visited the Kobuleti Cinema Centre, for Lithuania has also contributed to its modernisation following the Development Cooperation Programme.   

Earlier today Prime Minister Kubilius has met, at the Adjara Government Office, with Vice-Prime Minister of Georgia and State Minister for Euro-Atlantic Integration Giorgi Baramidze, and exchanged opinions on Georgia’s European integration prospects.  

Today the Prime Minister has also took part in the opening of an exhibition on soldiers from the Lithuania-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Ghōr Province, Afghanistan. The Prime Minister noted that the opening of the exhibition symbolizes the Lithuanian and Georgian solidarity with a view to tackling Afghanistan problems.  

The Prime Minister has delivered a lecture to students at Batumi Shota Rustaveli University on lessons that Europe can learn from the economic crisis. “The dynamic and strongly reform-minded country like Georgia must be as close to Europe as possible”, pointed out the Prime Minister.

After the lecture the Prime Minister has visited Batumi Public Services Centre, which is a one-stop shop public services provider to the citizens. „It is an impressive centre indeed. We should think about puting into practice of this idea in Lithuania, too“, said the Prime Minister.

Tomorrow the Prime Minister and his delegation will end their official visit in Georgia and will return to Lithuania.