Deputy Foreign Minister discusses Georgia’s EU integration, bilateral relations with Irish Parliamentary delegation

Georgia’s European Union integration, the supportive resolutions adopted by the Irish Senate, and relations between two states were discussed on Thursday in a meeting between Lasha Darsalia, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and Joe McHugh, the Chair of the Irish Parliament's European Union Affairs Committee. 

Darsalia highlighted Ireland’s “active parliamentary cooperation” in support of Georgia’s EU integration path in recent years, including the resolution adopted by the Irish Senate on June 14, and said he hoped that this trend would continue in the future.

McHugh, along with members of the accompanying delegation called the recognition of Georgia’s “European perspective” a “historic step” and reaffirmed Ireland’s support for the country on its integration path, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The sides condemned Russia's ongoing military invasion of Ukraine and stressed it posed a “direct threat” to the idea of a “united, free and peaceful” Europe. Darsalia briefed the Irish side on the threats facing Georgia, the “dire” humanitarian situation in the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) and stressed the importance of the consistent position of the international partners over the matters.

The officials also highlighted the “growing dynamics” in the relations between Georgia and Ireland, reflected in both bilateral and multilateral formats.