Norwegian official visits Georgia to support democratic development

The president of Norway’s Storting (the Norwegian Parliament) has come to Georgia on an official visit to support the country’s democratic development and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

Norway’s Olemic Thommessen is on a four-day visit to Georgia and already he has met his Georgian counterpart Davit Usupashvili.

"Georgia is a young democracy with major challenges, not least in its neighbourly relations with Russia. The purpose of the visit is to promote Norwegian support to the development of democracy in the country,” stated the Storting’s Administration.

Thommessen was invited to Georgia by Parliament Speaker Usupashvili.

After meeting Usupashvili today, Thommessen said it was in Norway’s and the Norwegian Storting’s best interest to support democratic development in Georgia.

"In a time like this, it is extremely important to contribute to a positive development in young democracies” he said.

"The purpose of my visit to Georgia is to highlight and strengthen the good bilateral relations between Georgia and Norway, and to show my support in Georgia’s efforts to move towards Europe. The Storting wants to help and support the only correct response to Russian aggression, which is to build democracy and welfare,” said Thommessen.

Meanwhile Usupashvili perceived Thommessen’s visit as a symbol of the fact Georgia had a tight, friendly relationship with Norway, and he believed Georgia could learn a lot from Norway in terms of developing democracy.

"Norway, like Georgia, is not EU member country but both countries have the same will – to have tight relations with the EU. Thommessen has revealed several secrets about how not to be EU member country and still get the benefits from it,” Usupashvili said.

The Georgian official said Norway recognised Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and supported Georgia in its quest for NATO membership.

On another note, during Thommessen’s Georgia trip he is scheduled to meet Georgia’s Prime Minister, the country’s President and the Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II. A meeting is also planned between Thommessen and Georgia’s Foreign Minister Tamar Beruchashvili, where the sides will discuss Norwegian investments in Georgia’s energy sector.

Before Thommessen departs later this week he will visit the refugee camp in Tserovani and the library in the women's prison in Rustavi, which was supported by Norwegian funds.

Earlier, Thommessen was in Ukraine to affirm the Norwegian Parliament's support to the Ukrainian National Assembly, along with the presidents of other Nordic and Baltic countries.