Polish senior official:
“There is a place for Georgia in the European family”

Georgia’s Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze is on his first official visit to Poland and met with the country’s top lawmakers.

The Georgian high official sat down with Marshal of the Polish Senate Stanislaw Karczewski and Deputy Marshal of the Sejm Ryszard Terlecki.

The politicians discussed the situation in the European Union (EU) and the challenges facing Europe following the referendum in Britain, which resulted in the British people voting to leave the EU.

We discussed the situation facing Europe following the Brexit [British exit] and challenges we have to face but no matter what eventually happens we are positive that there is a place for Georgia in the European family. Poland has supported and will continue to support these aspirations," said Karczewski after meeting Janelidze.

Karczewski stressed Poland was a devoted supporter of Georgia’s pro-European and pro-NATO aspirations.

Georgia’s Foreign Ministry summed up the meetings: "[The meetings] underlined that at present Europe urgently needs to ensure security in the European space, to strengthen cooperation with partners and to seek new opportunities.”

Close parliamentary coop. bw/ Georgian&Polish legislative bodies express exceptionally friendly ties bw/2 countries pic.twitter.com/7ZfqYbe1Uz

— Mikheil Janelidze (@JanelidzeMkh) June 27, 2016

The two Polish officials also expressed their hope that the NATO Summit in Warsaw would result in "significant decisions” being made not only for member countries but for Georgia as well.

Meanwhile Janelidze underscored Georgia’s readiness to continue its "significant contribution” to European security, namely, through Georgia’s democratisation, reforms and setting a successful example in the region, as well as through direct military contribution to the EU and NATO missions.

Discussions also focused on bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors but particularly in defence and in terms of ensuring security in Georgia’s occupied territories. 

Janelidze thanked the Polish side for its participation in the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia.

Poland will observe Parliamentary Elections in Georgia

Janelidze’s visit to Poland also touched on the October 8 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia. The Georgian Minister promised the elections would be carried out in compliance with top democratic standards and invited a delegation from both chambers of the Sejm [Polish Parliament] to observe the election process in Georgia.

The Polish side accepted this invitation and Karczewski said the Senate would observe the elections. 

We also discussed the upcoming parliamentary elections in Georgia and the Polish side expressed its desire and strong wish the elections process to be fully transparent and fully democratic,” said Karczewski.

And from our end, on behalf of the Senate, we will be sending an election observation mission.