Georgian Ambassador welcomed

The building of greater cultural, business, and social links between Cavan and Georgia was discussed during the visit of the Georgian Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency, George Zurabashvili on Friday, 22 September.

Georgia, like Ireland, is a country with a rich and storied history which has seen kingdoms and empires rise and fall, and which declared its independence as a Republic during the 20th century.

Like Ireland, Georgia is a nation with a spectacular and geologically significant landscape, with a number of sites earmarked as potential UNESCO Geopark candidates. Ambassador Zurabashvili enjoyed a presentation from Cavan Tourism Development Officer Joanne Hayes on Cavan Tourism and the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, which spans Counties Cavan and Fermanagh, the world’s first such transnational Geopark.

Eoin Doyle, Director of Service also gave a presentation on the history and present-day work of Cavan County Council and gave a socio-economic overview of the county, while Conor Craven, acting Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office, Cavan delivered a presentation on the work of that office in developing and promoting small businesses in the county.

The ambassador was also presented with a Created in Cavan hamper containing food, beverage, and craft items from local Cavan producers.

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr Philip Brady said, “I was delighted to welcome Ambassador Zurabashvili to Cavan today. It’s clear Ireland and Georgia share a great deal in common, and we have identified a number of ways in which we can collaborate to our mutual benefit”.

Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Tommy Ryan said, “Here in Cavan County Council we welcome the opportunity to link up with other nations around the world, to explore potential export opportunities for local businesses and other cultural exchanges. It’s clear that opportunities exist to further build links with Georgia and we will pursue any potential avenues to develop closer ties”.

Thanking Cathaoirleach Cllr Philip Brady for his “warm welcome”, Ambassador Z said Ireland and Georgia were “like-minded countries on the periphery of the European continent, with a rich history, yet forward-thinking”.

The Ambassador also expressed his gratitude to the Cathaoirleach for his well wishes towards Georgia as it seeks to join the European Union, noting that, “The main thing that we in Georgia share with Ireland is our values - European values”

The ambassador was presented with a hamper of local produce through the ‘Created in Cavan’ brand and reciprocated by presenting councillors and management with gifts of Georgian wine, pointing out that wine making in Georgia dates back over 8,000 years.

The visit of Ambassador Zurabashvili was coordinated by Senator Diarmuid Wilson, Convenor of the Irish-Georgian Parliamentary Friendship Group.