The ambassador of Georgia, Alexander Chkuaseli, emphasized at the reception hosted by the Georgian Embassy on the occasion of the celebration of his country’s Independence, that this event “reflects the firm will of the Georgian people to live in a free, democratic, and dignified State, in perfect harmony with European values.”
“Georgia sees its future within the great European family,” continued the Georgian ambassador, “an aspiration that reflects the will of the vast majority of the Georgian people and constitutes their mandate. The European integration of Georgia is a historic choice and of fundamental values in freedom, democracy, and progress. On this path, Spain’s support is of utmost importance. Its 40 years of experience in the European Union and its political backing play a fundamental role in Georgia’s European integration. I wish to highlight with special gratitude that it was known precisely under the Spanish presidency of the Council of the European Union when Georgia was granted candidate country status for the European Union. I want to reaffirm once again that the main priority of Georgia’s foreign policy, our European and Euro-Atlantic integration, is firm and irreversible.”
Ambassador Chkuaseli pointed out that “despite the geographical distance, relations between Georgia and Spain are actively developing political dialogue and economic and cultural ties. However, the potential for our cooperation is even greater.” He also highlighted “the future collaboration between the law enforcement agencies of Georgia and Spain. As recognition of successful collaboration, today we will also deliver the gratitude of the Minister of Interior of Georgia to the representatives and officials of the Ministries of Interior of Spain and Andorra.”
“Economic cooperation constitutes one of the fundamental pillars of the relations between Georgia and Spain. The strong economy in Spain and the developing market in Georgia create a favorable basis for globally beneficial collaboration, especially in the fields of tourism, energy, agriculture, and infrastructure,” said the Georgian ambassador.
“Georgia has made numerous advances in the economic field and has ranked prominently in international rankings between 2021 and 2026. Our economy recorded an average growth of 9.8%, while in the World Bank’s Business Ready (B-READY) 2025 ranking, Georgia ranks among the top 4 out of a total of 101 countries.”
“In the current geopolitical situation, Georgia has established itself as an important bridge of connection between Europe and Asia. In the middle corridor, it has acquired special relevance as a stable and sustainable transit route. Georgia is implementing strategic projects that consolidate the country as a group of transport, energy, and digital connectivity, which plays an essential role for landlocked states in the South Caucasus, to the Central Asian sea region,” continued Ambassador Alexander Chkuaseli. “Thanks to free trade agreements, Georgia will guarantee access to more than 2.3 billion consumers. Therefore, support for Georgia and fully leveraging its connectivity potential constitutes not only a national interest but also a regional and global priority.”
“Our country currently supports peace and stability in the South Caucasus,” said the ambassador, advocating for continued dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan and highlighting that “at a time when Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has generated unprecedented challenges for the European security system, the relevance of peace and cooperation has intensified even more. In this context, Georgia is consolidating in the region not only as a connectivity hub but also as an essential platform for cooperation and the promotion of peace.” Also noting that “two regions of our country are occupied by the Russian Federation, which maintains an illegal military presence in Georgian territory. We are not members of NATO or any other military alliance, which places our country in an even more vulnerable position in the current geopolitical context.”
Furthermore, the ambassador emphasized that “Georgia consistently expresses its firm support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Georgia expresses its full solidarity with Ukraine, both within the framework of bilateral relations and through the political and diplomatic actions undertaken on international platforms.”
Finally, Alexander Chkuaseli recalled the special historical and symbolic bond that unites Georgia and Spain. The concept of the “Two Iberias,” which was already mentioned in Greco-Roman sources, has the Iberian Peninsula in the west and the ancient kingdom of Iberia, that is, modern Georgia, in the east.
Next, the Deputy Mayor of Madrid, María Inmaculada Sanz Otero, took the floor, thanking the Georgian Embassy for the decoration awarded to the Chief of the Municipal Police, Óscar de Santos, and other distinguished members of the Security Forces. Referring to de Santos, the Deputy Mayor wanted to highlight the action by which it was discovered from Spain that some forgeries of Georgian driving licenses and license plates had been made. “The collaboration between the Georgian Embassy and the Document Forgery Service of our Municipal Police has allowed us to collaborate efficiently and fight against this fraudulent practice that also jeopardizes road safety. For us, it is an honor to collaborate with the Embassy of a country with which we probably have much more in common than is usually mentioned despite the geographical distance that separates us,” said María Inmaculada Sanz Otero.
“Tbilisi and Madrid, capitals of our countries, today represent the dynamism and future of Georgia and Spain,” highlighted the Deputy Mayor of Madrid. “For our city, it will be a privilege to continue welcoming all Georgians who come to Madrid, whether as visitors or to reside in our city, to start their professional, family, or any type of project.”
After the speeches, the diplomas of gratitude awarded by the Georgian Ministry of Interior were presented, in recognition of successful international police cooperation. The awardees were Joan Antonio León Peso, Secretary of State for Interior Justice of the Principality of Andorra; the General Commissioner of the Municipal Police of Madrid, Óscar de Santos Damián; the Chief Commissioner of the Specialized and Violent Crime Unit of the General Police Commissioner of the National Police, José Ángel González Morán; the Chief Inspector of the Specialized and Violent Crime Unit of the General Police Commissioner of the National Police, Álvaro Álvarez Taciado, and the Commander of the Technical Unit of the National Police of the Civil Guard, Gustavo Saín Ferrer.
