On February 12-13, Strasbourg hosts the 9th PAC sitting, co-chaired by David Songulashvili and Marina Kaljurand with participation of Georgian Parliament and EP Delegations.

In his speech, David Sungulashvili spoke about the progress achieved in Georgia-EU relations and the role of the Parliament in the implementation of the EUAA. Georgian MP focused on legislative initiatives and amendments upheld in this area.

“The EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association Committee provides a one of a kind opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments and recognize the challenges that remain”, - the rapporteur remarked.

Georgian MPs and MEPs heard the representatives of the Georgian executive authorities and the European Union to discuss EU-Georgia relations.

Deputy Foreign Minister Vakhtang Makharoblishvili and Deputy Head of International Relations Department at MIA, Nino Gakharia spoke extensively about the steps taken by the Georgian authorities in response to the visa-free regime and the challenges thereof.

“Visa liberalization and EUAA serve as very important accomplishments on the path of Georgia's EU integration. The Georgian Government is on track to address the deriving challenges so that Georgian citizens freely move within the Schengen Zone”, - Vakhtang Makharoblishvili stated.

Guguli Maghradze, Georgian MP, elaborated on the work undertaken within the Gender Equality Council.

The PAC attendees tabled and answered the questions including on the current political developments in Georgia.

“Due to the great political interest and importance of the subject, I think it is very central to express our readiness to be very open here. We are interested in free and fair judiciary and of course transparency of the Ugulava case. So we are ready to ask EU parliament for fact finding mission to help us and the case to as transparent as it could be possible just to be on the safe side and not to give the ground to some political speculations – trust me this is in our interest more than ever”, - D. Songulashvili stated.

The sitting shall be accomplished by February 13. At the end of its two-day work, Committee will vote on a joint statement and recommendations, after which the Co-chairs will hold the joint press conference.