European Parliament Rapporteur Visits Georgia

The resolution adopted by the European Parliament (EP) supporting Georgia and future relations between Georgia and the EU were the main topic of the meeting of the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Akaki Minashvili and the Chairman of the Committee on European Integration, David Darchiashvili with the European Parliament rapporteur on Georgia Krzysztof Lisek.

Lisek, a Polish MP, is one of the authors of the resolution, adopted by the European Parliament yesterday and as he stated, his visit to Georgia is the final stage of one-year's worth of work by the European Parliament, the aim of which is to introduce this significant resolution to Georgian society.

After the meeting, which was held in front of cameras, a joint sitting of the Committees on Foreign Affairs and on European Integration was held at which Lisek made a speech.

Speaking about the resolution, he stated that the EP considers Georgia a European state, sharing European values.

"Georgia chose the correct direction for development. We consider Georgia one of the most successful partners among the six states of the EaP [Eastern Partnership], which successfully implements reforms,” the guest stated. According to him, it is high time to call the events by their correct names and particularly this concerns the occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions.

As the EP rapporteur stated, it is important that the EP, using the new resolution, calls on the Russian Federation to withdraw its troops from Georgian territory. The EP also calls on the EU, and European Commission to intensify negotiations with the Russian Federation about the withdrawal of troops from the occupied territories.

As Lisek stated, the EP gives a positive evaluation to the recent changes ongoing in Georgia, though he underlines the necessity of further reforms. "Reforms shall continue. We will provide you with know-how and share our experience,” he stated.

According to Georgian MPs, the resolution of the EP is the greatest support to the territorial integrity of Georgia. “This was one of the most significant steps forward for the de-occupation of our country. It is noteworthy that EP hails the significant progress achieved by Georgia in terms of inculcation of democratic values in the country,” Darchiashvili stated and thanked Mr. Lisek and all EP members for supporting this very important and historic resolution.