“I feel honored to visit the Senate of Romania, one of the greatest friendly nations of our country, and speak before you on Georgian-Romanian relations, regional security challenges, and Georgia’s European choice”, - the Speaker, H.E. Shalva Papuashvili stated in his address delivered at the plenary session in the Senate of Romania.

 

According to him, not only the historical links that the two countries share but also common cultural values.

 

“I very much value the opportunity to visit your beautiful country in these geopolitically turbulent times, when the world witnesses unprecedented regional upheaval since the Cold War and, at the same time, in the historic period when Georgia makes its decisive push on its EU membership path. Romania and Georgia share not only historical ties but also a common thread of cultural richness that has endured for centuries, emanating from our strong Christian heritage. It is in moments like these that I am reminded of the great Anthim the Iberian, a figure who transcended borders and whose legacy continues to inspire us all to this day. He laid strong emotional and historic foundations for our nations’ relationship, which now blossoms in mutual strategic understanding and cooperation”.

 

As the Speaker estimated, the two countries successfully cooperate in various directions, namely, in the spheres of economy, tourism, culture, defense, cyber security, curbing crime etc. Per the statement of the Speaker, Romania is a devoted supporter of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and is a regularly leading force in terms of supporting the European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Georgia.

 

Shalva Papuashvili underlined that Romania was the first EU member state to ratify the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.

 

“We are deeply grateful for each step and statement of the Romanian side in support of Georgia. Such substantial aspects of our relations allowed us to elevate our longstanding and solid ties to a strategic partnership that brings our countries and peoples even closer than ever before. Our partnership has gained more relevance and depth along with Russia’s unjustified, illegal, and aggressive war in Ukraine. Our countries border on the Black Sea and the regional security of this part of the world takes the center stage of not only European but also the world security. The Black Sea regional security is now a historic challenge and we have to work together, with our Western allies to ensure stability and lasting peace in this complicated area. Also, the Black Sea is an area of opportunities. It has a strategic importance in terms of connectivity and energy security of Europe. The historic Silk Road, or as we often call it a “Middle Corridor”, is a shortest and cheapest transit route between Europe and Asia. Georgia is doing its best to enhance its role as a logistic center and hub for doing business in the region. We are committed to participate actively in major strategic projects and initiatives to contribute to strengthening Europe’s energy independence. Launching a new ferry service linking the port of Constanta in Romania with Poti in Georgia is a great example demonstrating our efforts to enhance Black Sea connectivity. Moreover, we believe that flagship project - Black Sea Submarine Electricity Cable has also a paramount potential to help the EU diversify its energy resources and promote clean energy transition”.

 

According to him, the efforts for the restoration of a historic silk road have already gained outcomes for Georgia – our country achieved two-digit economic growth for the last two years, the unemployment level is historically lowest, the direct foreign investments inflow mostly from the West European countries, trade has doubled since 2020, including export, the incomes from tourism are increased and the exchanges via ports, railway and airports are intensified.

 

“The Silk Road has a potential to bring more prosperity and well-being to all families of its members too, including here in Romania, on the other side of the Black Sea and a crucial link of the Road. We stand ready to utilize parliamentary diplomacy to boost our strategic partnership and fill it in with activities on the parliamentary level. With development of democratic institutions worldwide, the Parliaments take greater significance in international diplomatic relations. We are committed to enhancing bonds between our legislative bodies on the level of Speakers, friendship groups and committees. We believe that regular meaningful exchange will allow us to achieve tangible results. Experience of Romania on its EU and NATO membership paths is crucial for us and exchange on these issues will be highly appreciated”.

 

The Speaker highlighted that it I time for the EU to grant the EU candidacy to Georgia.

 

“Besides demonstrating my strong personal commitment towards strengthening Georgian-Romanian bilateral relations, I am here to convey the message and kind request to you to continue supporting Georgia politically and practically to help my country successfully move forward to the next phases of the EU accession. This is a time when the EU should fully realize its role as a geopolitical player and support sovereign choices of countries historically belonging to the European family. Recognition of Georgia’s European Perspective last year opened a new chapter in our relationship with the EU as we have embarked on an EU membership road. But now it’s high time to make another strategic decision and grant Georgia a candidate status and start EU accession negotiations with Georgia along with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. Georgia has taken huge steps to implement EU’s 12 recommendations and we hope that Georgia’s progress will be duly assessed and properly rewarded. Now, it is critically important to avoid negative differentiation of Georgia from the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine any longer as such differentiation risks empowering our common ill-wishers and leaving the region vis-à-vis the aggressor unprotected. Much like with Romanian leadership regarding the ratification of EU-Georgia Association Agreement, I would like to kindly ask my Romanian partners to once again lead this historic process of granting Georgia the EU candidate status”.

 

As stated by the Speaker, Georgia is not merely a beneficiary of European security and economic values but, being a partner country, highly contributes to the European and Global objectives, including by ensuring immense support to the EU security and defense missions in Africa or NATO missions across the globe. According to Shalva Papuashvili, Georgia, as a significant part of the middle corridor, is a reliable and effective route for Europe, including for ensuring alternative energy resources for Romania. Hence, Georgia has much to offer for further enhancement of the resilience of Europe.

 

“I would like to express my immense gratitude to President Ciucă and all of you for this unique opportunity to speak before you in this magnificent place. As I stand here, I feel the warmth of your hospitality, the richness of your culture, and the shared values that connect our two nations. It is a feeling that goes beyond diplomacy, a feeling that I am indeed at home, among friends and kindred spirits. Dear friends, let us seize this moment to deepen our bonds, to celebrate our shared heritage, and to continue building a common European future together. May the spirit and legacy of Anthim the Iberian guide us in our endeavors, reminding us that when we come together, there is no try we cannot ground”, - the Speaker ended his speech.

 

The plenary session in the Senate was as well attended by the Delegation members, MPs David Songulashvili, Isko Daseni, Genrieta Tsitsava, and Ekaterine Sepashvili, as well as the Ambassador of Georgia to Romania, H.E. Tamar Beruchashvili.