Estonia ready to support Georgia in foreign relations

Georgia will be offered more support from Estonia.  

Strengthening the two countries relationship was the main message of an official meeting of a Georgian parliamentary delegation to Estonia, led by Parliamentary Speaker David Usupashvili.  

On the first day of the two day official visit to Estonia, Usupashvili met with his Estonian counterpart, Ene Ergma and held a public lecture at the Estonian Eastern Partnership Center.

Georgia-Estonia relations, Euro-integration issues and the 2014 NATO Summit were discussed during the meeting between Parliamentary Speakers.

As Usupashvili stated, Estonias Euro-integration experience was "very important" for Georgia and results of this process would demonstrate what Georgia could expect to face on its way towards Europe.  

As for the NATO Summit, Usupashvili stressed that Georgia had not forgotten the Bucharest Summits promise and despite the fact the country fully complied with its obligations, the results were yet to be seen. He said Georgia was oriented on a specific result Membership Action Plan (MAP).

"In [yesterday's] meeting we agreed that Georgia will have Estonian support in terms of foreign relations," Usupashvili said.

He said Georgia would sign the Association Agreement in the near future and no one should be allowed to derail this process either external, or internal. He also mentioned Georgia wanted to achieve a significant improvement at the NATO Summit and strengthen the country's security.  

"In this regard, the Baltic States including Estonia are practical examples that Georgia is on the right track. They have strengthened their security through joining NATO and EU and on the other hand, achieved economic prosperity. We have a lot to learn and our colleagues are ready to share their experience, Usupashvili said following his meeting with Ergma.

The Estonian Parliamentary Speaker believed last year's elections in Georgia were a great success. She said the two countries parliaments were co-operative and this friendly relationship would continue into the future.

"2014 is a very important year for Georgia. We are ready to offer appropriate help and support, she said.

After the meeting, Usupashvili held a public lecture at the Estonian Eastern Partnership center, attended by representatives of diplomatic corps, Estonian and Georgian MPs, students and experts.

In his speech, Usupashvili focused on the Governments foreign policy priorities following last year's Parliament and Presidential Elections.

"The Government has not changed foreign policy priorities. Moreover, we have improved the quality of our negotiations and deepened cooperation in terms of European standards, Usupashvili said, adding that a step forward to the European Union meant a step toward consolidated democracy in Georgia.

"We recognize that much remains to be done and this is where we need the international communitys and especially Estonias support, Usupashvili added.

He answered audience questions about ongoing political processes in Georgia and civil society relations before he spoke with Georgian students studying in Tallinn.

Usupashvili was accompanied on the trip to Estonia by MPs Tedo Japaridze, Viktor Dolidze, Levan Bezhashvili and Guram Misabashvili.