Belgian parliamentary delegation visits Georgia

A Belgian parliamentary delegation chaired by the President of the Chamber of Representatives Siegfried Bracke is paying a four-day visit to Georgia.

Meeting with the Georgian Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze today, Bracke once again came out in support of Georgia’s territorial integrity.

It is evident that Belgium supports your demands in terms of territorial integrity. Let’s be very clear on that. And we have very interesting exchanges views on that subject”, he said.

Georgia and Belgium are celebrating the 25th anniversary of diplomatic cooperation between the two countries this year. Kobakhidze and Bracke said their parliaments are ready to deepen cooperation and make it more fruitful for both countries.

On the first day of his visit to Georgia President of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium Siegfried Bracke (L) met with the Georgian Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze. Photo by Parliament of Georgia

Bracke said Georgia and Belgium have strong diplomatic ties and Belgium treats Georgia as "a stable partner in a sensitive region”.

As I signed your guest book a few minutes ago, I think we should go on collaborating, we should go on talking and it’s important because you have deep roots within the democratic system, you are a stable country within, let’s say, a sensitive region and that’s another reason to go on collaborating”, Bracke said.

Thanking "Belgium, our Belgian friends, the Parliament of Belgium and the Speaker in particular for their important contribution towards supporting Georgia’s territorial integrity”, Kobakhidze also emphasised the merit of Belgian lawmakers in granting visa-free travel opportunities to Georgian citizens to the European Union/Schengen Area.

• It’s official now: Georgians no longer need visa to EU

The Belgian parliamentary delegation arrived to Georgia yesterday. During the visit the delegation will meet with the President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili, Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, the Patriarch of Georgia, Ilia II, Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze, NGOs and the former Speaker of Parliament David Usupashvili.

The Belgian parliamentary delegation meets with the Georgian parliament members. Photo by Parliament of Georgia

The visit also includes a trip to the town of Gori and village Khurvaleti near the administrative boundary line in Shida Kartli region.