Germany, Federal Republic of

Chronology of Diplomatic Relations

Diplomatic relations between Georgia and the Federal Republic of Germany were established on April 13, 1992.

The Federal Republic of Germany was the first state to open its embassy in Tbilisi in 1992.

In 1993, the Embassy of Georgia to the Federal Republic of Germany was opened.

Fields of Cooperation

The Georgian-German relations at the interstate level are connected with the period of the Georgian Democratic Republic (1918-1921). Since Georgia regained its independence and established diplomatic relations with Germany, the cooperation has been intensively developing in political, defense and security, trade and economic, environment and energy, police and law-enforcement, science, culture and education fields. The bilateral partnership is further bolstered by interagency cooperation that also develops dynamically. Georgia and Germany actively cooperate within international organizations as well.

The political dialogue between the two countries further deepened by launching Georgian-German-French trilateral consultations in 2018 between the foreign ministries of the third countries.

Around 50 agreements are in force between Georgia and Germany encompassing such areas as promotion and reciprocal protection of investments, avoidance of double taxation on income and capital, technical and financial cooperation, defense, cultural cooperation, fight against organized crime and terrorism, etc.

High- and highest-level visits are frequently exchanged at the level of legislative and executive authorities. It is notable that the Federal Chancellor of Germany paid an official visit to Georgia in August 2018. the Presidents of the two countries exchanged their official visits in 2019. Besides, the President, the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Parliament, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the heads of other governmental agencies of Georgia also paid visits to Berlin in recent years.

The inter-parliamentary cooperation evolves actively. The Inter-Parliamentary Group of Friendship with Germany runs in the Parliament of Georgia whereas the German-South Caucasus Parliamentary Group operates in the German Bundestag. Members of Parliaments of the two countries frequently exchange their visits. German-Georgian Forum was created at the German Bundestag, on 26 October 2020, to strengthen and expand traditionally good relations between Georgia and Germany, raise awareness about Georgia among the German political and public communities, strengthen political, economic, cultural and scientific cooperation. The Bundestag’s international scholarships are annually granted to Georgian students.

The bilateral economic relations keep vividly developing. Germany has been among Georgia’s top ten trade partners over the recent years. Multiple German companies such as “HeidelbergCement”, “Knauf”, “Henkel” etc. successfully operate in Georgia. The jointly organized business forums, trade missions and business meetings serve to enhance the interest of German entrepreneurs in Georgia’s economic potential. The same goal is pursued by the German Economic Association in Georgia which represents the German Chamber of Commerce in South Caucasus.

Georgia regularly participates in various international exhibitions held in Germany. Georgia will be an official host country at ITB Berlin, the World's Leading Travel Trade Show, in 2023.

The German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and KfW Development Bank have been successfully operating in Georgia for many years, implementing within the technical and financial cooperation the projects in the fields of sustainable development, democracy, development of local municipalities, rule of law, energy, environment protection, etc.

The cooperation with leading political foundations of Germany (Friedrich Ebert, Konrad Adenauer, Heinrich Böll, Friedrich Naumann) is also active. The Georgian Embassy to Germany, through cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, carries out the project “Focus on Georgia” bringing together representatives of Georgian and German authorities and experts to hold various events and thematic discussions.

The Georgian-German cooperation is marked by diversity in the fields of education, science and culture, promoted by the events already organized and planned both in Georgia and Germany, the implemented and ongoing projects (Days of Georgian Culture in Berlin, German-Georgian Scientific Forum, music, film and other types of festivals, concerts, exhibitions etc.). Georgia and Germany operate Georgian-German Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation in Culture, Education and Science. The development of vocational training policy is yet another area of cooperation. Through the support of Germany, dual education programmes in agriculture and hospitality sectors have been launched.

The Goethe Institute and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) both of regional importance are also represented in Georgia. With support of German foundations and institutions, Georgian students and scientists are provided with the opportunity to receive education and carry out research at German universities and scientific institutions.

Tbilisi-Saarbrücken (since 1975), Tbilisi-Biberach (since 1987-1988) and Batumi-Rostock (since 2012) have been twin cities.

In the context of the close, friendly and multidimensional relations established between Georgia and Germany, it is important that the Georgia-Germany Year was officially launched in April 2017 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of founding German settlements in Georgia and the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations. At the final stage of the Georgia-Germany Year, in October 2018, Georgia participated as the Guest of Honour in the Frankfurt International Book Fair.

Useful Links

Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany to the Georgia

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany

Bundestag - Parlaiament of Federal Republic of Germany

Society for Technical Cooperation

Conrad Adenauer Foundation

Heinrich Böll Foundation

Friedrich Naumann Foundation

Friedrich Ebert Foundation