Georgia signs deal for greater inter-parliamentary relations with Romania

Georgia’s positive relations with Romania were the topic of discussions today at several meetings between Romanian and Georgian high officials.

The President of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania Valeriu Ştefan Zgonea first met Georgia’s Parliament Speaker David Usupashvili before he sat down with Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili this afternoon.

At the first meeting Zgonea, who headed a Romanian Parliamentary delegation visit to Georgia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Georgian and Romanian legislative bodies. 

Usupashvili stressed the MoU implied one more step towards enhancement of inter-Parliamentary relations between the two friendly nations. He said Georgia and Romania had a close relationship that he hoped would continue in the future.

 Georgia's Prime Minister meets with Romanian delegation. Photo by the Prime Minister's webpage. 

Romania has always supported Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic intentions and visa liberalisation aims,” said Usupashvili.

  It is crystal clear that Georgia and Romania can play a crucial role due to our partnership relations to serve as a bridge between Europe and Black Sea Asia. We have made and will continue to make concrete steps in this direction to be the initiators of projects covering Europe and Asia. We possess unique opportunities for this, not only in a geographic sense but in institutional terms to ensure cooperation between the governments, parliaments and our countries,” Usupashvili said. 

Zgonea agreed the MoU was a basis for further cooperation between the Parliaments of Georgia and Romania. 

He noted his country also had to pave a way to Europe and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), and in this context he highlighted the importance of foreign support to Georgia. 

Europeans should understand that Georgia needs intact support to approximate to European values. The Black Sea unifies us, not divides and it is important for Europe to understand that Romania will always support Georgia.”

Georgia needs support to have a good economy, which means many investors, which in turn means approximation to European values and a better future for your citizens,” Zgonea said. 

Georgia's Parliament Speaker (R) highlighted Romania's support to Georgia. Photo by the Parliament of Georgia.  

This afternoon the Romanian official met Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, who spoke about Georgia-Romania relations.

As well as touching on prospects of closer cooperation, the Georgian top official underscored Romania was one of Georgia’s most active supporters on its Euro-Atlantic path. 

Zgonea and the Romanian delegation are scheduled to leave Georgia tomorrow.