Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Thursday reviewed the existing relations and cooperation with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić and Pia Kauma, the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, in meetings on the sidelines of the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament in Dublin.
Papuashvili briefed Burić on the implementation of the recommendations outlined by the European Union for granting its candidate membership status to the country, with the sides emphasising the partnership between the Georgian Parliament and the Venice Commission of the CoE.
Thanks President @shpapuashvili @Geoparliament for a very good meeting in Dublin today @coe @PACE_News / Merci M. le Président du @Geoparliament @shpapuashvili pour notre très bonne réunion à Dublin aujourd’hui @CoE_fr @CoeGeorgia pic.twitter.com/tU6YdvoXca
— Marija Pejčinović Burić (@MarijaPBuric) September 28, 2023
The importance of the EU’s positive decision on the country’s candidate status was also highlighted at the meeting, the Parliament press office said.
CoE Secretary General pointed out the body’s unwavering support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia and expressed readiness to continue the confidence-building mechanisms.
In their meeting, the Georgian Parliament Speaker and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President discussed changes to the Georgian electoral system, while Papuashvili expressed his desire to continue cooperation with OSCE/ODIHR for the 2024 parliamentary elections.
#OSCEPA Pres. @PiaKauma & @shpapuashvili, Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, exchanged views on the current situation in the #SouthCaucasus. The sides discussed ????????'s active engagement in the PA and Papuashvili invited PA to observe Georgian elections in 2024. #SpeakersSpeak2023 pic.twitter.com/kVcfElX4op
— OSCE PA (@oscepa) September 28, 2023
Current events in Georgia and the region, as well as the country’s EU aspirations, were also part of the conversation between the officials.