Parliament Speaker, EU ambassadors for EaP discuss EU integration
The Georgian Parliament said the discussion also covered the future of the Eastern Partnership, topics of regional peace, “recent political developments” in Georgia, as well as the occupation of the country’s Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), and the importance of sharing experience between the countries at the parliamentary level. Photo: Georgian Parliament
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Georgia's European integration path was discussed on Tuesday in a meeting between Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of the country’s Parliament, and special representatives of the European Union and member states for the Eastern Partnership programme.
The Georgian Parliament said the discussion also covered the future of the Eastern Partnership, topics of regional peace, “recent political developments” in Georgia, as well as the occupation of the country’s Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), and the importance of sharing experience between the countries at the parliamentary level.
Papuashvili highlighted the importance of the delegation's visit as a “manifestation of support” for Georgia before the publication of the European Commission’s upcoming report on the country’s readiness to receive the EU membership candidate status.
Fruitful exchange with a delegation of the #EU Special Envoys for the Eastern Partnership headed by @DirkSchuebel. Today's visit is an important signal of support & encouragement for ????????. Discussed ????????'s progress in implementing 12 priorities. Exchanged views on the future of the… pic.twitter.com/03nXpO6kXg
— Shalva Papuashvili ???????? (@shpapuashvili) November 7, 2023
He also pointed out the legislative body’s work had been focused on fulfilling the 12 recommendations outlined by the European Commission for granting the country the status.
He noted the country’s progress was reflected in “influential” international ratings including the Rule of Law Index of the World Justice Project and Transparency in the Time of War Index by European Research Centre for Anticorruption and State-Building, and stressed the EU should make a “strategic decision” by supporting Georgia's further progress on the path to joining the bloc, which he said was important “not only for the country, but also for the entire region”.
Dirk Schuebel, the EU Special Envoy for the Eastern Partnership, expressed his anticipation for the publication of the European Commission's report and highlighted the delegation's visit aimed to contribute to Georgia's integration into the bloc.
He also noted strengthening connectivity and promoting security were two of the priorities of the EaP programme.
The delegation also held meetings with the Parliamentary opposition to discuss the EC’s upcoming report, as well as the killing of a Georgian national by Russian occupying forces near a village adjacent to central Georgia’s occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region on Monday.