News

On 29-31 October, Members of the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania Mr. Audronius Ažubalis and Mr. Kęstutis Masiulis visited Georgia to observe the second rounds of the Municipal Elections of Georgia 2021 in major Georgian cities, where elections runoffs took place.

During the visit, the MPs held meetings with main political and non-governmental actors. At a meeting with the Head of the European Integration Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, Ms. Maka Bochorishvil and Deputy Chair Mr. Levan Karumidze, the issues of inter-parliamentary cooperation between the Parliaments of the Republic of Lithuania and Georgia, focusing on the core aspects of Georgia’s European integration including implementation of the DCFTA and reforms agenda were discussed. Members of Seimas underlined the importance of continuous parliamentary consultations and cooperation between Lithuania and Georgia. It was noted Georgia’s particular importance in ensuring regional and Black Sea security initiatives. “Lithuania remains committed to support Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. We once again urge Russia to fulfill all of its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement, including the withdrawal of its forces to pre-conflict positions and the provision of free access for humanitarian assistance to these regions, as well to reverse its recognition of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states“ - emphasized Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Seimas Mr. Audronius Ažubalis.

A meeting was also held with the representatives of major Georgian non-governmental organizations. Lithuanian parliamentarians noted an important role of civil society in strengthening rule of law, media freedom, respect of fundamental human rights as prerequisites of the Georgia’s democratic credentials. 

Lithuanian MPs met with the leaders of largest opposition political parties to hear their views of the current political situation, pre-election environment, implementation of the electoral and judicial reforms in line with the April 19 Agreement mediated by the European Union.

On 30 October, the delegation accompanied by Ambassador Andrius Kalindra observed the electoral process of the second round of voting in multiple polling stations in the cities of Kutaisi and Zugdidi. While in Zugdidi, MPs and Lithuanian ambassador to Georgia visited Enguri Bridge administrative border line and the regional office of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia. Representatives of the Parliament praised the Mission’s hard work in contributing to stabilization, normalization and confidence building between the conflict parties.