Speaker of the Seimas: Lithuania believes in Georgia’s European future

Press release, 21 March 2017

 

‘Lithuania believes in Georgia’s European future. We have acquired best practice during the EU accession process and we are ready to share it with Georgia,’ said Viktoras Pranckietis, Speaker of the Seimas, at his meeting with Irakli Kobakhidze, Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, and at a follow-up press conference. Mr Pranckietis is currently on his working visit to Georgia in the framework of a meeting of Speakers of NB8 Parliaments.

 

The Speaker of the Seimas congratulated his Georgian colleague on fulfilling all the requirements by Tbilisi that are necessary for visa liberalisation.

 

‘Georgia is resolute in pursuing reform on its European integration path. It is our duty to help Georgia,’ Mr Pranckietis said. According to him, it is crucial to effectively raise public awareness on Georgia’s positive achievements of the European and Euro-Atlantic integration, in particular in view of Russia’s aggressive propaganda campaign.

 

Photos of the Office of the Seimas (author Kęstutis Kudzmanas)

 

The Speaker of the Seimas continued that Lithuania consistently supported Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. ‘We are concerned by the decision to close down two checkpoints along the Administrative Border Line between Abkhazia and the rest of the territory of Georgia. Such a decision will have a negative impact on thousands of people living in the region and crossing the checkpoints on a daily basis, including the most vulnerable groups, such as schoolchildren, the elderly, and the sick. The decision is contrary to the commitments to achieve security, find a long-term and sustainable solution to the conflict, and improve the living conditions for the people affected by the conflict,’ Mr Pranckietis said as he, together with his NB8 colleagues, visited the EU Monitoring Mission. The Mission is currently headed by Ambassador Kęstutis Jankauskas.   

 

 

On 21 March 2017, Viktoras Pranckietis, Speaker of the Seimas, also meets with Giorgi Margvelashvili, President of Georgia, and Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia.  

 

 

Dalia Vencevičienė, Senior Adviser to the Speaker of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6016, mob. +370 698 42 071, e-mail: [email protected]