Italian senators pay two-day visit to Georgia

The EU Policies Committee of the Italian Senate paid its first ever visit to Georgia this week, from June 10-11.

Accompanied by the Ambassador of Italy to Georgia Federica Favi, the visit began on Sunday with a meeting at the Tserovani settlement with Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees Koba Subeliani. The Italian Senators then visited the EUMM Field Office in Mtskheta, where they were given a briefing by Italian civil and military observers working within the Monitoring Mission.

Yesterday, the Italian representatives met with Speaker of Parliament Davit Bakradze and their counterparts from the Foreign Affairs and European Integration Committees of Parliament, as well as with the Italian-Georgian Parliamentary Friendship Group and representatives of opposition political parties.

The delegation also spoke with representatives of the government, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Giorgi Baramidze, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reintegration Eka Tkeshelashvili, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tornike Gordadze.

During their meetings, the senators were given updates on Georgia’s policies with respect to the EU, IDP reintegration, and on the progress made by Georgia on its way to modernization. The Italian delegation affirmed their support for the independence and territorial integrity of the country, and expressed confidence that the next elections in Georgia will be free, fair, and in line with international standards.