The 9th Ordinary Session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, which was held in a remote format, opened with committee meetings.

At the sittings of the Committees on Political Affairs, Human Rights and Democracy; Economic Integration, Legal Approximation and Convergence with EU Policies; Social Affairs, Employment, Education, Culture and Civil Society; Energy Security, the participants heard the reports on the current political and economic situation in the region and expanded on the social challenges.

At the meeting of the Committee on Political Affairs, Human Rights and Democracy, the attendees deliberated the resolution: "Strengthening democratic processes: the role of political parties, civil society, a fair electoral environment and a free and pluralistic media”.

The resolution emphasizes that the Russian Federation interferes in the democratic processes of the EU member states and the Eastern Partnership countries, thus endangering the sovereignty, independence and security of these countries.

The document strongly condemns the so-called “elections” held in the occupied territories of Georgia and Ukraine by Russia and calls on the EU and international institutions to refrain from recognizing the results of the so-called "elections" in any form.

The two articles of the resolution address the gross violation by the Russian Federation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia and Ukraine, which undermines the security, humanitarian and human rights situation and fundamental principles and norms of international law in the occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali / South Ossetia, as well as in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Sevastopol, Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.

The resolution condemns the occupation of the territories of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region / South Ossetia and calls on the international community to step up its efforts to restore Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

The main topics of the Committee's discussion were: "The future of the Eastern Partnership ahead of the 2021 Eastern Partnership Summit"; "Rule of Law and Judicial Reform as the Basis for the Development of Democracy and the Economy”.

"The Eastern Partnership format has yielded tangible results since its inception, including EUAA/DCFTA and visa-free travel for Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova. In addition, Georgia has ambitions for greater integration with the EU and the country plans to make an official application for EU membership in 2024. Given the current challenges, at a time when Georgia and Ukraine are occupied by the Russian Federation and at the same time facing hybrid threats, the EU needs to create new opportunities for cooperation for the Eastern Partnership countries to strengthen their accession with the EU in terms of political dialogue, economic and sectoral integration”, - Maka Bochorishvili, Co-Chair of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly and Head of the Georgian Delegation, stated in her speech.

In her speech, Maka Bochorishvili also highlighted the forthcoming Eastern Partnership Summit, which should develop a long-term strategic vision for the EaP countries to make this format of cooperation more attractive to all partner states.

At the meeting of the Committee on Social Affairs, Employment, Education, Culture and Civil Society, the attendees deliberated the resolution on "Quality of Life, Improved Health Care System and Sustainable Pension Reform in the EU and Eastern Partnership Countries", co-authored by Shalva Papuashvili, member of Georgian Delegation and MEP Jarosław Duda.

The document reviews the achievements and challenges of the current healthcare system in the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries, the sustainable pension system and the steps taken to improve life in the region in general.

The resolution calls on the EU to consider bilateral and regional technical assistance programs for health care reform in the Eastern Partnership region, and improve the legal framework for national health systems.

The resolution notes with concern that the COVID-19 vaccines projected under the COVAX scheme are projected to cover only 20 per cent of the Eastern Partnership population on average, underscoring the importance of further cooperation in this area between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries.

The main topic of the Committee's discussion was: "Social aspects of the pandemic and EU assistance to the Eastern Partnership countries in the vaccination process."

At the meeting of the Energy Security Committee, the diplomats deliberated the resolution: "Energy Efficiency, Diversification and Independence: Implementing the Opportunities for Strengthening European Energy Policy and Dealing with Actions against Energy Security in the Eastern Partnership Countries".

The resolution calls on EU member states to critically evaluate cooperation with the Russian Federation through various foreign policy platforms, such as Nord Stream 2. The resolution is concerned about the construction of the pipeline, which will facilitate the EU's dependence on Russian gas. This fact contradicts the EU energy policy and its strategic interests.

The resolution calls on EU member states to employ all possible legal levers to suspend the Nord Stream 2.

The document emphasizes conflicts in the region that threaten energy security and democratic development.

The resolution also hails the commissioning of the Southern Gas Corridor, as well as the development of the Black Sea Transmission Line, which will be an important precondition for connecting Eastern and Central Europe and in the direction of energy diversification.

It should be noted that the initiated resolution fully reflects the issues initiated by the Georgian delegation regarding energy security and reliability.

The main topic of the Committee's discussion was "The European Green Deal, its importance and potential for energy security and resilience in the Eastern Partnership countries".

The Committee on Economic Integration, Legal Approximation and Convergence with EU Policies discussed and adopted a resolution: "Synergy of education and economy in the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries."

The document reviews the following issues: education and its availability, vocational education, youth employment, student mobility.

It should be noted that the resolution welcomes Georgia's progress in developing an education reform plan for 2018-2023, which aims to bring the Georgian education system in line with European standards.

The resolution also hails the opening of the first Eastern Partnership European School in Tbilisi in September 2018. The school gives young people from all six Eastern Partnership countries the opportunity to benefit from innovative educational programs recognized worldwide and calls on the EU to consider opening similar schools in other Eastern Partnership countries.

The main topic of the Committee's discussion was: "The socio-economic impact of the pandemic and the EU's assistance to the Eastern Partnership countries in overcoming the COVID-19-induced challenges”.

With the active involvement of the Georgian Permanent Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, the resolutions adopted within the Committees took into account the opinions and suggestions of the Georgian side.