In its progress towards European integration Georgia is still a forerunner among the Eastern Partnership countries. Latvia is ready to continue sharing its experience in implementing reforms, inter alia, in the judicial sector, gained by our country during its accession to the European Union (EU) and also as a full-fledged member state over the past decade. Inese Lībiņa-Egnere, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, emphasised this when meeting with David Usupashvili, Speaker of the parliament of Georgia, on Tuesday, 15 September in Tbilisi. 

Lībiņa-Egnere highlighted that just as during its presidency of the Council of the EU, cooperation with the Eastern Partnership countries continues to be one of Latvia’s foreign policy priorities. She noted that despite the difficult political situation that has developed since the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, the Riga Summit was nevertheless a success. The Deputy Speaker of the Saeima reaffirmed that Latvia and the entire EU support visa liberalisation with Georgia and urged Georgia to continue its work on implementing the remaining recommendations to ensure that the decision to be taken in December on visa-free travel to the EU is positive. 

Both officials agreed that the active political dialogue between Latvia and Georgia clearly stems from excellent bilateral relations. The upcoming visit of the Speaker of the Georgian parliament, which is to take place in early November, serves as a proof of the excellent Latvian-Georgian interparliamentary relations.  

Speaker Usupashvili expressed interest in organising an experience exchange visit for Georgian MPs and parliament committee advisors to Latvia in order to learn about the work of the Saeima at committee level, as well as parliamentary scrutiny over the government. Deputy Speaker Lībiņa-Egnere congratulated Georgia’s willingness to enhance the good bilateral relations by deepening and expanding the existing cooperation. 

The Deputy Speaker of the Saeima thanked the Speaker of the Georgian parliament for the excellently organised international conference and the invitation to present the Saeima’s experience in cooperating with civic society. 

As Georgia will hold parliamentary elections next year, the two officials also discussed preparations for the elections and the planned changes in Georgia’s election system. 

Lībiņa-Egnere is on a visit to Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, where she is attending the conference “Openness Obligation: Parliamentary Action Plans, Standards and Tools,” hosted by the parliament of Georgia. 

During her visit the Deputy Speaker of the Saeima is meeting with Tedo Japaridze, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Georgian parliament, and Giorgi Kakhiani, Head of the Friendship Group with the Parliament of Latvia.  

Photos from the meeting are available at:
 https://www.flickr.com/photos/saeima/albums/72157656267936434
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 Saeima Press Service