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• THE PARLIAMENT HEARD THE ACTIVITY REPORT FOR 2022 OF THE PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO PACE

  At the plenary session, MPs heard the Activity Report for 2022 of the Parliamentary Delegation to PACE, introduced by the Head of the Delegation, Irakli Chikovani.

  “One of the acute issues for the PACE and for us was the devastation in Ukraine entailed by the Russian aggression and the decision made on the exclusion of Russia from the Coe and the preparation for a new Summit that is scheduled in May 2023 and that shall be dedicated to the planning of the further steps of the organization”, - he stated.

  According to him, the Georgian Delegation was one of the main Delegations that approved the exclusion of Russia at the emergency session convened by the CoE. As noted, sundry resolutions have been adopted in 2022 related to the situation in Ukraine, where the Georgian Delegation in full composition, including the Majority and the Opposition MPs, unanimously approved the documents except one resolution providing the record about the third President of Georgia.

  “This Resolution was connected neither to Georgia nor the situation in Georgia or the democratic reforms; it was an attempt, which by the way was quite successfully conducted by the EPP members and the rapporteur of the Resolution”, - he noted and added that the Resolution on Georgia initiated by the Monitoring Committee and adopted by the PACE reflects the immense progress achieved by Georgia in the democracy, rule of law and human rights protection directions.

  “This progress is clearly underlined and which is unambiguously confirmed by the CoE as a whole, though it also provides the challenges in Georgia being addressed by the Government”, - the reporter ended his speech.

• European Union and Georgia hold Strategic Security Dialogue

  The fifth high-level EU–Georgia Strategic Security Dialogue took place on 25 January 2023 in Tbilisi. It reflected the strong level of commitment by both parties to take cooperation forward, including on foreign and security policy, in line with the EU-Georgia Association Agreement. 

  The parties highlighted the historic importance of the decision of the European Council of 23 June 2022 to recognise the European perspective to Georgia.

  The participants discussed the consequences of the conflict between Russia and Georgia in August 2008,  including the conflict dynamics in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia. They called on the Russian Federation to fully implement the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 ceasefire Agreement. 

  They also highlighted the important role of the EU Monitoring Mission for peace and security in Georgia, and underlined the necessity of ensuring the full implementation of its mandate. The European Union reaffirmed its unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

  The meetings of the high-level EU–Georgia Strategic Security Dialogue are held once a year and cover issues of common interest in the field of foreign and security policy.

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  Press release

• 2023 Winter session: the legal and human rights aspects of Russia's aggression against Ukraine

  An urgent debate* on the legal and human rights aspects of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine, with the participation of Oleksandra Matviichuk, Head of the Center for Civil Liberties, 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, will be among the highlights of the Winter plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), to be held in Strasbourg from 23 to 27 January 2023.

  #OnTheRoadToReykjavik, a report on the fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe, to be held in the Icelandic capital on 16 and 17 May, will present PACE's proposals.

  There will also be addresses by the Prime Minister of Iceland Katrin Jakobsdóttir and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić will present her communication to PACE members. The Assembly will also elect its President and Vice-Presidents.

  Combating violence against women will also be a focus of the session, with a first debate on conflict-related sexual violence, and a second joint debate on the Istanbul Convention, on the role and responsibility of men and boys in stopping gender-based violence against women and girls, and on finding solutions for marital captivity.

  Other topics on the agenda include the environmental impact of armed conflict, Daesh foreign fighters and their families returning from Syria and elsewhere, and the ethical, cultural and educational challenges of contact tracing applications.

  * The Assembly will decide its final agenda at the opening of the session.

  2023 Winter Session special page

• Another round of political consultations held between the foreign ministries of Georgia and the Republic of Maldives

  The delegation of the Republic of Maldives led by the State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Khaleel, visited Georgia from 22 to 24 December 2022.

  Within the framework of the visit, on 23 December, the second round of political consultations was held between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and the Republic of Maldives. From the Georgian side, the consultations were chaired by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aleksandre Khvtisiashvili.
  During the consultations, the sides discussed in detail a wide range of bilateral relations and talked about the prospects for future cooperation. Both sides emphasized the importance of exchanging high-level visits and developing the bilateral legal framework. Talking points also included the possibility of developing relations in the areas of trade, tourism, education, sports and agriculture. In addition, the sides highlighted the importance of deepening cooperation in multilateral formats, including within the UN. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia thanked his Maldivian counterpart for supporting the UN resolution on the status of displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia and Tskhinvali region, Georgia.
  During the consultations, the Maldivian side confirmed once again its support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
  Within the framework of the visit to Georgia, the delegation of the Republic of Maldives also held meetings with the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, Nikoloz Samkharadze, and the Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Genadi Arveladze.

• Georgian President visits France

  Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili is visiting France to attend high-ranking meetings in Strasbourg and Paris.

  The president will participate in the World Forum for Democracy 2022 and the Paris Peace Forum.

  According to the President’s press office, Zourabichvili will meet with Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, and PACE President Tiny Kox.

  On the sidelines of the World Forum for Democracy, Zurabishvili will also meet the Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrín Jakobsdóttir.