Disputed Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili arrived in the Czech Republic for an official visit, accompanied by a parliamentary delegation, during which he is scheduled to hold meetings with representatives of the Czech legislative and executive branches in Prague.
The visit comes amid strained relations between Georgia and the European Union over the Georgian Dream government’s anti-Western rhetoric and concerns over democratic backsliding. Georgian Dream lawmakers have sought to use similar parliamentary visits to European capitals to advocate for a “renewal of dialogue” with the EU.
The Georgian delegation includes Georgian Dream majority MPs Sozar Subari, Zviad Shalamberidze, Aluda Ghudushauri, and Irma Zavradashvili.
Papuashvili and the delegation visited the Vítkov National Memorial in Prague, where they laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and observed a minute of silence in tribute to fallen heroes, the Georgian disputed Parliament reported on November 9.
According to the Georgian Parliament’s press release, Papuashvili also met with Tomio Okamura, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament, where the sides highlighted the longstanding friendly ties between Georgia and the Czech Republic, with Papuashvili describing the visit as important for deepening bilateral relations. He also thanked the Czech side for its support for Georgia’s territorial integrity.
The meeting also touched on developments in the EU and worldwide, as well as foreign funding legislation, the press release said.
“The sides emphasized the importance of respecting sovereignty and national interests in relations between the countries. Discussions also focused on the importance of transparency in bringing foreign-funded political activities within constitutional and legal frameworks. The Czech side expressed interest in Georgia’s experience with transparency legislation,” the Parliament noted.
More to follow…
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