The Chair of Foreign Relations Committee and the Vice-President of PACE, Tedo Japaridze serves the working visit to Bulgaria to participate in the Conference of Chairs of Foreign Relations Committees of CoE Member State Parliaments.

The Conference topic was “Democratic Security based on European Cooperation and Unity”. The PACE President, Pedro Agramunt, PACE Deputy-Secretary General, Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, the President of Bulgarian National Assembly, Tsetska Tsacheva, the incumbent Minister of PACE and Foreign Minister of Bulgaria, Daniel Mitov, the Vice-Prime Minister of Bulgaria, the Interior Minister of Bulgaria, Rumiana Bachvarova and other famous politicians also participated in the Conference.

The participants considered issues as follows: European security, migration crisis as the challenge for European society member states, Russian aggressive policy and economic problems.

Tedo Japaridze, in his speech, emphasized altered context of security policy post 2008 war. As he stated, none of European countries can feel safe when the neighbor country encounters significant problems. “Georgian aspiration to EU and NATO is conditioned with will and the aspirations, which will allow Georgia start building democratic institutions with support by authoritative international structures”.

As Mrs. Battaini-Dragoni responded, CoE Cabinet of Ministers will attach higher attention to security and territorial integrity of Georgia. Mr. Agramunt spoke about the role and capacities of the conference allowing discussion of safe and democratic Europe. Europe seeks for responses to challenges.

Mr. Mitov noted that every European country need to support each other and find balance in observance of national interests and European values. All the issues considered will be submitted to the Heads of the states and the Governments of CoE member states. In this regards, particular attention was attached to CoE potential and PA.

“For the countries such Georgia, experience of CoE member states is very important for solid foundation of institutional democracy. The countries, being under significant transformation, have no rich experience. We are ready to receive recommendations necessary for creation of dignified, powerful, safe and democratically developed state” – T. Japaridze stated.

He noted that CoE and PACE, as well as other international organizations, shall not serve the venue for internal political confrontations of Georgia. “Our relations with these structures shall aim at their involvement in development and enhancement of common European values in the country”.

Mr. Agramunt and other Chairs of the National Delegations, including Ukraine supported this position. T. Japaridze held bilateral meetings with the representatives of Ukraine, Romania, Armenia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Czech Republic and other countries.

The parties agreed to hold Georgia-Romania-Poland Foreign Committees meeting to develop the common proposals on EU and NATO integration issues. The preliminary agreement was also achieved to hold Ukraine-Moldova-Georgia Parliamentary Committee Heads meeting in Georgia, as well as the Georgia-Armenia Foreign Committee sitting.

Mr. Japaridze invited a famous European politician, former Czech Foreign Minister and MP, Karel Schwarzenberg to Georgia.