At today’s Plenary Session, presided by the First Vice-Speaker Giorgi Volski, MPs took note of the public resignation of the Speaker of the Parliament, H.E. Archil Talakvadze.

"On April 24 of this year, the Speaker of the Parliament, Archil Talakvadze, made a statement and informed us that in accordance with Article 20, Paragraph 1 of the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Georgia, we would like to acknowledge his wish to resign from the post of Speaker”, - G. Volski stated.

Part of the opposition, which signed a document submitted by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, took part in today's session, thus ending their almost 6-month boycott of the Parliament.

The session resumed with political statements.

The leader of the parliamentary majority, Irakli Kobakhidze, responded to the entrance of the part of the opposition to the Parliament - "Despite the arrival of European Council President Charles Michel in Georgia, the four political parties involved in the talks, the United National Movement, European Georgia, the Patriots Alliance and the Labor Party, have not yet signed the April 19 agreement. Moreover, they still do not enter the Parliament, keep tents in front of the palace, oppose certain clauses of the agreement, continue aggressive rhetoric against the Georgian Dream and our country's Western partners, and take other steps against the content and spirit of the agreement. Thus, once again, a clear line is drawn between pro-Western and anti-Western political forces, despite these destructive steps taken by the radical part of the opposition, the Georgian Dream ensures its responsibility for the proper implementation of the agreement.

I would like to remind everyone that the stability, security and prosperity of our country cannot be only the concern and subjective interest of the ruling party, all political parties should be interested in this. Therefore, each party and each member of the Parliament has its share of responsibility in reducing polarization and radicalism”.

The leader of the majority thanked Archil Talakvadze for his work as the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia and for his special contribution to the political negotiations.

According to the Independent MP, Giorgi Khojevanishvili, the main topic of discussion between the government and politicians should be the difficult life of our citizens living along the occupation line - "As a Single-Mandate MP of Gori and Kaspi, I would like to start my speech with specific issues. Today our citizens have a fair feeling that the government does not take proper care of them and is busy with other narrow political agendas. To the economic situation, the heavy burden of occupation is added. Unfortunately, illegal borderization continues, this time in Kareli municipality, and we must not forget the difficult situation of our citizens living near the occupation line. These are the issues that should be the main topic of discussion for the government and politicians today”.

Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Nikoloz Samkharadze responded to the resolution, authored by Jeanne Shaheen, Chairman of the US Senate Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security - "The main topic of the resolution is the implementation of the agreement signed between our government and the opposition parties. All this is another important step, which once again strengthens the support of Georgia from the main strategic partner at the legislative level. The text of the resolution is another confirmation of the United States' bipartisan support for Georgia's independence, territorial integrity and the development of democracy. We fully share the pathos of our partners, according to which the opposition should take its place in the Parliament. Our team has repeatedly stated in public and I reaffirm that the Georgian Dream is fully prepared to strictly fulfill the provisions of the mediation agreement reached by the President of the European Council. We are also ready to start working on systemic reforms with open, inclusive and transparent parliamentary procedures. The efforts of the Georgian government are aimed at the democratic development of the country, which is based on common interests and values. We call on the opposition to join this common effort and, instead of confronting, promote national consent and cooperation”.

Independent MP Beka Liluashvili called on the government to take interest in the problems of the citizens - "I would like to call on the Georgian government to be more interested in these problems. We understand very well that these support measures were not enough. Today neither I nor the other members of my team, and first and foremost our citizens, see what the government is planning to do to support the people left alone in need. The time of political strife must end, this is yesterday. Today we need a business agenda focused on the future of the state, the future of the ordinary citizen - this is the main consistent plan of our team - a plan for employment, increased prices for medicines, post-pandemic social support, investment promotion, economic recovery, etc”.

Chair of the EU Integration Committee, Maka Bochorishvili informed her colleagues about her visit to Brussels and expressed her expectations for our country and all political actors - "The people of Georgia deserve politicians to respect their choice, political leaders to be able to replace the extremely polarized environment with a constructive tone and to be able to work in one space for a healthy future for our country. The compromise that has been found through the long work and great efforts of our strategic partners deserves respect. Compromise is a compromise because it may not be fully desirable for any party, however, the agreement signed on its basis requires the conscientious treatment by all parties”.

The Chair of the Committee thanked everyone who made it possible to reach an agreement - "On my part, I would like to thank everyone who made it possible to reach an agreement, first of all our strategic partners, the President of the Council of the European Union, the US and EU Ambassadors to Georgia and, of course, the President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili”.

According to Giorgi Vashadze, the leader of "Strategy Aghmashenebeli", a step has been taken to resolve the political crisis - "We have signed an agreement, which is entitled as Georgia's European path, Georgia's development path, and this agreement is an agreement created by the President of the Council of Europe. Some people perceive this agreement as their own defeat, but in my opinion, this agreement is a victory for the Georgian people, this agreement should be a new page in both Georgian politics and development of our country. Agreement is never bad, agreement is European culture, agreement is Western culture, that is the aspiration we all go for. This is a huge opportunity for all of us, despite our different political views, to take responsibility and not delay the process. As soon as possible, we will accept all the changes outlined in this document and manifest another great culture to the Georgian society”.

According to the member of the faction-independent MP, Mikheil Daushvili, the strength of the private sector will create decent social conditions for our citizens - "Today, our citizens are most worried about the economic crisis and employment in the country, poverty and aggravated social conditions. In response to these challenges, it is crucial that the economy recovers quickly through private sector support. It is the strength of the private sector that creates decent social conditions for our citizens. The well-being of our citizens is directly related to the support of entrepreneurs by the state, the development of new incentive packages, the attraction of investments”.

According to the member of the parliamentary majority, Shalva Papuashvili, the agreement signed on April 19, within the framework of the EU President's mediation, contains the main spirit, which says that political disagreements must end and we must fight the pandemic in solidarity - "These are the goals around which all the patriots of this country should unite today, and these are the four main bases for the progress of this country. Everyone who shares the spirit of this agreement today is a winner, everyone who rejects this agreement is a loser. They have only two options left: either to admit their own failure, sign the agreement and enter the parliament, or eventually turn into marginal political groups. We, of course, will fulfill all the points of the document, and you all know that today is the day when the commitment under the amnesty law must be fulfilled”.

Representative of "Lelo", Badri Japaridze - "It is imperative that this document be fully implemented in order for us to show our American and European friends that Georgia deserves rapid membership in Euro-Atlantic structures. For this, it is necessary to complete all criminal cases that convey political signs. This is necessary for the society to unite”.

Chair of the Healthcare and Social Issues Committee, Dimitri Khundadze - "As it turned out, we managed to gather together. We can say that for the first time in the history of independent Georgia we were able to defuse the crisis situation through dialogue, albeit with the help of foreign partners, but still by our decision. My wish is for all political parties, government and opposition in Georgia to govern the country on the principle of "one homeland". This should become the slogan of Georgian politics and then any compromise for the good of our country will be considered a strong point. I think the current epidemic is more dangerous than the political processes. We went through the first wave, the second, we reached the third wave with more mutated strains. In this matter I do not consider it right to speculate, seek political gain, and misinterpret criticism. It is better to act on the principle of "one homeland". Georgia has survived the most difficult period and not a single patient has been left without treatment. However, we have lost up to 4,000 people to date, though the casualties may have been much higher. Of course, it would have been better to have more vaccines and fewer victims, but ambush would not really help this case”.

Representative of “Lelo”, Ana Natsvlishvili - "If there is one thing the Georgian state stands on today, it is the hard work and struggle of our citizens, often in a very unfair environment, I especially want to greet our emigrants, no matter where in the world you are and pursue the idea of the Georgian state; Also, I especially would like to welcome our compatriots living the near or beyond the so-called “border”. I would also like to thank President Michel, the European Union, the United States of America, our loyal and wise strategic partners, who have made a special effort over the years to ensure that Georgia, as a state, stands on the path of Euro-Atlantic development. Their outstanding efforts in recent months are especially appreciated amid the current crisis”.

Member of the UNM, Salome Samadashvili - "We are going to have a very wide, public discussion on the amnesty bill in the coming days. This is my position, but it is clear that we adhere to the spirit of the agreement we have signed. The history of this country is full of bitter controversy, full of pain, full of grave political mistakes, and this agreement was an opportunity, including for us, to reach a really broad national consensus and accomplish many issues. We have resolved many issues that ensured that losing and winning elections in this country is just another political event and does not mean that political persecution will start against someone. So far, we still have a chance, if we can achieve this agreement and bring it to fruition, we will have another chance to continue to follow this path, to consolidate the country”.

"I would like to address the Coordination Council and report the pain of our Ingiloys. These people have been vaccinated and they have confirmation documents. Nevertheless, this checkpoint does not let them in the territory of Georgia. Because of this, they are forced to go to Baku and come from Baku to Tbilisi, which makes it very expensive for them to come to our country. Maybe there is a readiness, as developed countries have established, to abolish a bureaucratic barrier in the conditions of such documents, and with the guarantee of security conditions, those people could easily enter the territory of Georgia”, - Lado Kakhadze, First Deputy Chair of the Healthcare and Social Issues Committee, stated.

Chair of the Republican Party, Khatuna Samnidze - "I would like to thank our European and American colleagues, partners, supporters who have not left this country at any stage, considering that today the first step has been taken to ease the crisis, which is not enough and the main task is ahead. In these very difficult, painful and lengthy negotiations, they did everything they could to reach an agreement. It is very important that this agreement be broader and that all our opposition colleagues join this document”.

Member of the parliamentary opposition, Armaz Akhvlediani - "The only explanation for my entry here today with others, the only justification is that I am striving to work with everyone who is driven by the desire to stop being dictated by somebody else’s opinions and desires in politics, whether it be a media representative, criminal or a mere citizen”.

Opposition MP Levan Ioseliani - "I welcome the opposition colleagues who entered the parliament today. I congratulate them on this decision. I think this is a really right and necessary decision for this country. It has been a very difficult time for all of us before making this decision. So, my request, my opinion, is to end the alienations we had with each other, especially within the opposition. We ought to end the politics built on the disgust of the opposition. We have given many examples to our citizens of how we can hate each other, but very few - how we can respect each other”.

Opposition MP Alexander Elisashvili - "Levan Ioseliani and I entered the Parliament in early February, after the European Socialists. During this time, because of our decision, because we came here, we received a lot of disgust and hatred from some of the people that are represented here. We put up with it and waited, why? Because we love this country and we know that our entry was the right decision for the country, and the second reason why we waited was that today would eventually come and only six men from the opposition would not be represented in this hall”.

Member of the Parliamentary Majority, Irakli Chikovani - "Today is a very important day. However, to be honest, this day is 6 months late due to the artificially create crisis. It took 6 months for these people to take part in solving the main problems facing our country today. I repeat, we have taken a step, we have taken a step towards a better future for Georgia, we have taken a step so that in 2024 our state can take the opportunity and apply to the EU for our full membership. This is the main goal that we should move, this is the main message”.

Faction-independent MP, David Zilfimiani - "Today is a very important day in the parliament. I am very happy with the growth of the constructive opposition in the legislature. I hope that our constructiveness will increase and we will all stand side by side in not likening the current parliament to the legislature of the 9th convocation, where nothing more than enmity and hatred reigned. I hope the remaining members of the opposition will surely join us soon”.

Member of Georgian Dream, Irakli Zarkua - "Today is an important day. This is a multi-party parliament, supported by the people of Georgia. We, the members of the majority, have been saying in one voice all these months – put this quarrel to an end, continue the dialogue and discussion in the Parliament. I am glad that today, as the opposition has been formed, there is no alternative to dialogue and constructive debate. I would also like to congratulate you, the opposition, on the release from the hostages of Saakashvili and Bokeria. It has to be said unequivocally and you also admit it in different broadcasts. Personally, I, as well as our team, are ready to discuss constructive proposals, or incentives. This is the order of the population”.

Representative of the parliamentary opposition, Fridon Injia - "It is gratifying that today we see part of the opposition that strives to be rebuilt. Many of them are my friends. There is still some part of the opposition that wants to destroy the country. I could not imagine being outside and having completely incomprehensible demands. Our partners in the West have worked really hard to reach this agreement, which we, the European Socialists, have signed in order to bring stability to the country”.

Representative of “Girchi”, Iago Khvichia - "I would like to witness real politics to be done in this hall; Let us not curse each other, let us not beat each other, but let us talk and argue about everything that bothers us, bothers us and bothers this country. I want us to be able to listen to each other and forgive each other. Humanity cannot be denied. Innocent people should not be imprisoned”.

Leader of "Girchi – More Freedom", Zurab Japaridze - "The crisis did not depend on whether someone would come in here or not, it does not change anything. Until people outside do not hope that something can change in this country, until they decide to live here, this crisis is not overcome. Whether two MPs come from the opposition or 22, it will not change anything. Overcoming economic problems requires understanding the economy”.

Leader of “Lelo”, Mamuka Khazaradze - "It took 6 months to reach an agreement, change the electoral legislation, reform the court. It took a lot of effort, the involvement of our American and European partners. I want to tell you a few facts about where we are and where we were 8 years ago. During this period, 6 prime ministers, have been replaced and none of them continued even the idea and project of the previous prime minister because there is no strategic project for the development of the country. This country needs an economic revolution. Installing asphalt before elections is bribing a voter. Business is locked in the deal through tenders, this country is suffering from a great deal of corruption and nepotism".

Deputy Chairman of the Georgian Dream faction, Beka Davituliani - "We all gathered in this hall today to spread a new sheet. Given the geopolitical situation around us today, this may be one of the last opportunities when we can bring peace to the country with less losses. I hope that by gathering here, sitting here and discussing real issues, not spending months on fabricated ungrounded accusations, we will be able to give hope to our people”.

Member of the Georgian Dream faction, Irakli Kadagishvili - "We are doing our best so that the country does not deviate from the path of development that will ultimately lead our independent, democratic state to a family of civilized nations. Therefore, even in the document that the EU has mediated to get out of this artificially created crisis, we are talking about this better future and it will be very important now that we fulfill the choice we made and implement this document. I understand that a certain party, a certain politician, based on its internal agenda, names a political prisoner, failed elections, non-existent judicial system, but this document stipulates that there is no political prisoner in Georgia. Therefore, this is a document in the spirit of which we can improve the current situation”.

Chairman of the Regional Policy and Self-Government Committee, Sozar Subari - "The PM’s project aims at rapid and equal development of all regions of the country, all 63 municipalities. This program will create new economic opportunities in the regions, generate new jobs. Up to 15,000 people will be employed during the project implementation period alone. The cost of the first phase of the program alone is 500 mln GEL, of which about 1/3 is raised from donors. It provides funding for projects that are important not only for a particular municipality or region, but for the country as a whole and cover extremely important areas. No less important is the fact that the local population will be fully involved in the process. We have a very good experience of such programs (Rural Development Project)”.

Following the political statements, MPs observed a minute of silence in the memory and honor of deceased Georgian film and theater actor Kakhi Kavsadze.