Ambassador’s Welcome Speech
Welcome Speech Greetings, dear compatriots and Japanese friends!
First of all, I thank you for visiting our website, and here I wish to note that through the efforts of each of you, Georgia-Japan relations are deepening more and more, and the friendly ties between the two states are becoming stronger. As a citizen of Georgia who possesses 20 years of experience in relations with Japan, I want to joyfully emphasize the growth of Georgia's awareness among Japanese people from year to year, and this, of course, is the merit of each of you.
Common values and a joint position toward freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights, as well as diplomatic efforts between the countries, have instilled a solid foundation and led us to significant joint results on the international arena. Furthermore, Japan, like Georgia, is a country of great traditions, culture, and human values, which makes the relationship between the peoples more interesting and beneficial.
The unwavering position of Japan toward the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia must certainly be noted. Also the fact that over the years, Japan represents one of Georgia’s largest donor countries.
I wish to take the opportunity and express heartfelt thanks to our partner country for such solid support.
In recent years, the progress of Georgia-Japan in both economic and cultural spheres has further deepened the existing ties between the two countries. Specifically, in 2021, significant agreements between the two countries—an Investment Agreement1 and a Tax Agreement2—entered into force. At the same time, Japanese private companies have taken significant steps in the Georgian market (for example, the investment carried out by the major Japanese energy company "TEPCO Renewable Power" in the field of renewable energy). This significant fact gives us real hope that in the coming years, even more Japanese companies will begin activities in Georgia. It is noteworthy that our Embassy attaches special priority to working in the direction of renewable energy in order to attract more advanced Japanese companies to the Georgian market.
Historically, Georgian culture has always appeared to us as an envoy for deepening communication and friendship with foreign countries. In past years, despite the pandemic, the increased awareness of Georgia was reflected in Japanese daily life. Specifically, for the first time in history, cultural elements of traditional Georgian dishes and wine became widely available throughout the scale of Japan. Also, awareness toward national dance, Georgian attire, and other elements of Georgian culture increased significantly. Nowadays, in the Japanese media, we encounter various programs or publications about Georgia every month, which contributes to the formation of Georgia’s image as an attractive and interesting country for the Japanese. It is precisely in this period, when we have rediscovered the potential of Georgian culture and history, that interest toward culture and the awareness of Georgia represent one of those defining elements that will expand the basis of cooperation between the countries in political, economic, trade, and tourism directions.
I certainly wish to note that in the matter of raising the awareness of Georgia in Japan, a greatest contribution belongs to our proud and successful sumo wrestlers: Levan Tsaguria, Levan Gorgadze, and Teimuraz Jugheli. Were it not for their success, which is the result of tireless labor, Georgia would not have such a level of recognition today.
Of course, such a friendly disposition between nations would be impossible without the efforts of those people active in various fields of culture, science, or sports, who have contributed their part to Georgian-Japanese relations until now. I want to express deep respect toward them and thank everyone from the heart for the activities carried out over the years.
In 2022, the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Japan is celebrated. We believe that the existing diplomatic relations provide us the foundation to make bilateral cooperation even more fruitful. In this jubilee year, the relationship between the peoples is moving to a new stage. One of the universal goals of a diplomatic mission is to bring the existing distance between countries as close as possible. To achieve this, the Embassy of Georgia will continue active actions together with our Georgian compatriots living in Japan and Japanese friends.
With respect,
Teimuraz Lezhava
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Japan