PACE President Visits Georgia

Liliane Maury Pasquier, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, is meeting with Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze. The meetings are part of the PACE presidents official visit to Georgia on April 29-30. A statement for the media, followed the one-hour meeting, hold behind closed doors.

"I believe my visit is a good opportunity to highlight the importance of cooperation between the Assembly of the Council of Europe and Georgia. I think this visit will contribute to further strengthening of our cooperation," said Pasquier at the press briefing. She highlighted Georgia´s effort and strong spirit during the membership of the Council of Europe and the implemented democratic reforms in various institutions. At the same time Kobakhidze affirmed the invaluable role of the Council of Europe for the development of democracy in Georgia.

Another discussed topic was the conflict resolution in the occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and its further progress. Especially confidence-building measures are needed to connect people with each other and find ways to de-escalate the conflict on all levels. "We will continue to search for ways to resolve the conflicts in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, especially to establish contact between peoples. There is the opportunity to learn more and take steps forward," Liliane Maury Pasquier stated.

During her visit Pasquier will also travel to the Tserovani settlement, near the town of Mtskheta. Besides she will visit the village of Odzisi and observe the territory around the administrative boundary line. Meetings with President Salome Zurabishvili and Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, Minister of Foreign Affairs Davit Zalkaliani and the Georgian delegation to PACE are set as well.

Honouring the 20th anniversary of Georgia´s accession to the Council of Europe, the PACE president will address the Georgian Parliament during a parliamentary session on 30 of April.

By Lisa Maier

Photo source: IPN