Irakli Kobakhidze, Speaker of Parliament of Georgia together with the accompanied Georgian Delegation are on an official visit to the Republic of Bulgaria.

Within the framework of the visit, the first meeting was held with Tsveta Karayancheva, President of the National Assembly.

The Chairpersons of Georgian Parliament and Bulgarian National Assembly discussed the bilateral relations and further cooperation.

At the meeting the meaning of dimension of inter-parliamentary cooperation between two countries, the strategic geographic location of Georgia and Bulgaria and taking advantage of the potential that two countries have were underlined.

Furthermore, the sides talked about European integration of our country and the meaning of sharing the other countries’ experience in this process.

Tsveta Karayancheva expressed Bulgaria’s firm support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia and its aspiration to west.

After the meeting, the Chairpersons of Georgian Parliament and Bulgarian National Assembly made joint statements and expressed their readiness to deep the further cooperation once again.

“The visit has an aim to further strengthen the partnership and friendship between Georgia and the Republic of Bulgaria, between Bulgarians and Georgians. The friendship between our two countries and our two nations has a long history and we are responsibly for doing our best to further deepen this friendship and cooperation. Inter-parliamentary cooperation is a very important dimension and aspect of the cooperation between the two countries. Bulgaria is a proud member of EU and NATO and we value your readiness to share your unique experience in this regard. We also appreciate your active engagement in the functioning of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia and the NATO-Georgia Substantial Package. This aspect of the cooperation, of course, will benefit regional peace and stability and prosperity.

Today during our meeting we have mentioned that there is a huge untapped potential in a wide range of sectoral directions and we are very motivated to fully use this opportunity, especially in the context of the Black Sea region. We together can serve as a bridge connecting east with west, connecting Europe with Asia and we have to take advantage of this potential that our two countries have. We believe that our efforts will bring more dynamism between our countries and more prosperity to our citizens. I would also like to highlight the common spiritual and cultural proximity and heritage of our peoples that is deeply embedded into the Orthodox Christian religion. This is something we all should cherish, and use as a common ground for further strengthening the relations and understanding between our countries and our societies” – said Irakli Kobakhidze.

On the first day of the visit, the meeting with Bulgaria-Georgia Friendship Group was also held, where the specific aspects of bilateral cooperation were discussed.

At the meeting the importance of deep and strong relationship towards education, culture and environment was mentioned and the further steps were planned.

Today, Speaker of Parliament of Georgia together with the Georgian delegation laid wreaths on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.