September 2014

by Derek Pickup and Alix Hugh

President Giorgi Margvelashviliof the Republic of Georgia (left) arrived late last night at Bristol airport leading a top level delegation for the NATO summit in Cardiff. Georgia is on track to become a NATO member and the President will be reinforcing Georgia's capability to be a full member.
The Presidents private plane had come from Tbilisi, the Georgian capital which is also Bristol's twin city, and taxied to a special high security terminal at the airport. Surrounded by officials from the Foreign Office, NATO and his team of officials, President Margvelashvili was welcomed by Alix Hughes from the twinnings association and Bristol Tbilisi Association chairman Derek Pickup with members of the BTA executive and representatives of the local Georgian community.  The President informed the Bristol group that he had brought with him the new Georgian Ambassador to the UK, Professor Revaz Gachechiladze, whose papers he had signed on the flight and that his arrival day in Bristol was his first day in office! (right)

Derek Pickup said " The Georgian Embassy had asked us to welcome the President and we were able to present him with a book about Bristol and mention our Trade Mission to Georgia planned for October. We also offered to show his entourage around Bristol as they will be based just outside the city in a confidential location. It is important to have the Bristol Tbilisi link recognised at the highest levels in Georgia as this opens doors for our companies and our cultural projects"

Photos

1. President Margvelashvili arriving at the NATO high security terminal

2. Ambassador Gachechiladze (glasses) meeting Bristol Tbilisi Association chair Derek Pickup and Alix Hughes, BITA co-ordinator.

3. Georgian Ambassador Prof Revaz Gachechiladze starts his first day in the post in Bristol with Derek Pickup

4. Lunch with Derek Pickup and John Hirst - Chief Executive of the Destination Bristol

 

*