PACE President Praises Democratic Reforms Implemented by Georgia
By Tea Mariamidze
Wednesday, May 1
President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Liliane Maury Pasquier says Georgia has implemented democratic reforms in various institutions.
She made the statement at the joint press conference with the Parliament Speaker of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, in Tbilisi, April 30.
PACE President also underlined the successful cooperation of Georgia and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
“It is the 20th anniversary of Georgia’s accession to the Council of Europe and Georgia has shown strong spirit during the period of the Council of Europe and implemented democratic reforms in various institutions,” she stated.
Liliane Maury Pasquier added that her visit would strengthen mutual cooperation.
“I believe my visit is a good opportunity to highlight the importance of cooperation between the Assembly of the Council of Europe and Georgia,” she said.
Moreover, PACE President visited village Tserovani, which is populated by the internally displaced people from the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and later arrived in village Odzisi, located at the occupation line with the Russian-backed S. Ossetia.
“We will continue to search for ways to resolve conflicts in South Ossetia and Abkhazia and establish contact between peoples,” she said.
Liliane Maury Pasquier said the Council of Europe supports Georgia in the direction of conflict resolution and it is important that steps be taken forward.
On Tuesday, PACE President had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Georgia, Mamuka Bakhtadze.
The PM thanked Liliane Maury Pasquier for participating in the events celebrating the 20th anniversary of Georgia's accession to the Council of Europe, and for visiting Tbilisi. The upcoming 70th anniversary of the Council of Europe was also emphasized.
The parties discussed Georgia's upcoming Chairmanship of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, along with the challenges facing the organization.
Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration was also discussed by the sides. Bakhtadze noted that Georgia’s main aim is to return to the European family.
The parties also discussed the grave humanitarian and human rights situation in Georgia's occupied territories. The PM informed the PACE President about the Georgian Government's peace initiative - A Step to a Better Future - seeking to ensure confidence-building between the conflict-torn communities, improve social and economic conditions for the populations in breakaway regions and offer them new opportunities.
The same day Liliane Maury Pasquier was hosted by the Georgian President, Salome Zurabishvili.
In addition to the mutual cooperation issues, discussions also focused on the Geneva International Discussions. The President of Georgia reiterated that the format needs to be strengthened and advanced from the technical to the political level.
Liliane Maury Pasquier also delivered a speech at the 20th anniversary of Georgia’s membership to the Council of Europe at the Parliament of Georgia.
