Georgia, Italian Presidents discuss Russian occupation of Georgian regions

The strengthening of the non-recognition policy of Georgia's occupied territories has been discussed as Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili met with his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella in Rome today.

The pair discussed Georgia-Italy bilateral relations.

Margvelashvili thanked Mattarella for Italy’s support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and provided him with information regarding the situation in the country’s Russian occupied regions.

Margvelashvili stressed the violation of human rights in the occupied regions and said the presence of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in the area is important. Italy contributes two monitors to the region.

He also thanked Italy for its strong support for Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration process.

Discussed strengthening the non-recognition policy of Georgia's occupied territories W/ President Mattarella at the @Quirinale Palace pic.twitter.com/8uV3XVV7zj

— President Of Georgia (@MargvelashviliG) October 16, 2017

The pair discussed defence cooperation between Georgia and Italy. The defence ministries of the two nations have been cooperating since 2015, sharing experience in information technologies, strategic communications and other fields.

Margvelashvili invited the Italian President to Georgia.

As part of the visit Margvelashvili also has a meeting scheduled with the President of the Senate of the Republic of Italy Pietro Grasso.

Margvelashvili will also meet with the students of the NATO Defense College in Rome and deliver a public lecture.

Georgian President will end his working visit to Italy on October 17.