Founder and head of “Georgian Culture Center in the Netherlands”, Mrs. Tika Svanidze-vancko and H.E. Mr. Konstantine Surguladze, Ambassador of Georgia.
On November 26, 2018, a farewell reception of the Ambassador of Georgia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Konstantine Surguladze and his spouse Mrs. Nino Rusadze was held at the Embassy of Georgia. As from December 1, Ambassador’s mission to the Kingdom of the Netherlands comes to an end.
The reception started with the farewell speech by the Ambassador of Georgia. His Excellency thanked guests for attending the reception. In his speech Ambassador summarized the bilateral relations between Georgia, the Netherlands and the EU.
“During my tenure, the Netherlands ratified EU-Georgia Association Agreement including Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), which entered into force on July 2016.
Since March 2017, Georgian citizens have benefitted from visa free travel to the Schengen area and the Netherlands contributed to this achievement. The EU is Georgia’s largest trading partner and provides over €100 million to Georgia annually in technical and financial assistance.
I am very pleased that during these challenging and very important times, when everybody in my country worked hard to achieve this very important milestone, I had an honor to represent Georgia to the Netherlands and contributed to the historical achievement of my country. I would like to use this opportunity to thank the Dutch government and Dutch people for every support provided to my country and for being good and reliable friends of Georgia”- said H.E. Konstantine Surguladze.
On that day the Embassy had a very special guests, Amber and Tim Storimans, children of Stan Storimans Dutch TV “RTL” cameraman, who was killed during the Russian largescale military intervention in August 2008. An Iskander rocket exploded in Gori’s central square on 12 August 2008, killing a Dutch journalist, Stan Storimans and other civilians.
On August 7, 2018 President of Georgia, H.E. Mr. Giorgi Margvelashvili awarded Stan Storimans with the Order of Honor for his bravery and self-sacrifice. Ambassador of Georgia bestowed the Order of Honor to the children of Stan Storimans.
During the farewell reception the Ambassador thanked Georgian Diaspora organizations representatives for their important contribution to promote Georgia.
“The Georgian community in the Netherlands is a significant contributor not only to the development of this country but also to the Netherlands ties with Georgia. I have enjoyed friendship and support from many members of the Georgian community here”- said Ambassador and awarded with the Certificates of Appreciation for their invaluable effort to promote Georgia to the founder and head of “Georgian Culture Center in the Netherlands”, Mrs. Tika Svanidze-vancko; Counsellor of “Georgian Culture Center in the Netherlands”, Mrs. Lali Butbaia; founder and head of foundations “EuroArt” and “ArtEco”, Mrs. Dali Ubilava de Graaf; Head of association “Bagrationi”, Mrs. Maia Aduashvili; Head of Georgian Diaspora organization, Mrs. Natalia Tchaduneli; and head of association “Georgian House”, Mr. Archil Djavakhadze. Also Ambassador thanked teachers of Amsterdam Sunday School and awarded with the Certificates of Appreciation for their invaluable effort Mrs. Neli Svanidze and Mrs. Khatuna Kavteladze.
The farewell reception was attended by the representatives from the Netherlands government, business sector, education, culture, media and Georgian Diaspora representatives. The guests had the opportunity to taste Georgian wine offered by the company Ghvino.nl
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Photography by the Embassy of Georgia.
