Baltic States Congratulate Georgia with the Successful Chairmanship of the Council of Europe
On July 2, Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian Ambassadors delivered a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Mr. David Zalkaliani, signed by three Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Baltic States in which they congratulate Georgia with the successful Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe
„We congratulate Georgia with the successful Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe which symbolically coincides with the 20th anniversary of the country’s membership in the organization. It was a real challenge as the most part of the membership got under the undetermined conditions during COVID 19 pandemic and Georgian territory of Abkhazia and South Ossetia stay occupied by another member of Council of Europe“ write in their letter Lithuania, Latvian and Estonian Foreign Ministers Linas Linkevičius, Edgaras Rinkevičs and Urmas Reinsalu.
The Ministers‘ letter underlines the fact that in spite of unprecedented conditions during the Chairmanship, Georgia maintained its focus on the main priorities and values of the organization. At the same time, innovative solutions made it possible to continue working from a distance.
During the meeting Lithuanian Ambassador Giedrius Puodžiūnas, Latvian Ambassador Ingrīda Levrence and Estonian Ambassador Kai Kaarelson expressed their gladness regarding the recommendation of the European Council concerning the gradual abolishment of non-mandatory travels restrictions to EU countries, which are foreseen for the residents of third countries, including Georgia. Minister D. Zalkaliani expressed his gratitude for the support from the Baltic States.
Ambassadors also congratulated Georgia on constitutional amendments, which provide the possibility to reform the electoral system. Minister underlined that on July 2, during the third reading, the Parliament of Georgia accepted legal amendments to the electoral legislation in accordance with the recommendations by OSCE/ODIHR. Free and fair elections will be held in Georgia in autumn.
Georgia was a Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe from November 27, 2019 to May 15, 2020.
