Top (left to right): OSCE PA Secretary General Spencer Oliver is greeted by Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili; Oliver following his meetings with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tamar Beruchashvili
Bottom: Oliver meets with Georgian Parliament Chairperson David Usupashvili
COPENHAGEN, 17 January 2015 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Secretary General Spencer Oliver met today with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tamar Beruchashvili, Parliament Chairperson David Usupashvili and other high-ranking government and parliamentary officials in Tbilisi for discussions that focused on recent political and security developments in the country and region.

The status of the economy and current challenges to the territorial integrity of Georgia were among the main topics discussed during the wide-ranging exchanges of views.

The sides also addressed prospects for enhanced co-operation as well as plans for the Parliamentary Assembly's 2016 Annual Session, which Georgia will host.

"While world leaders focus on efforts to resolve the crisis in Ukraine, no one should overlook that Georgia, too, has had its territorial integrity breached. Notwithstanding that enormous challenge, this country has pushed ahead with its reform agenda. I welcome the commitment expressed by Georgia's government and parliamentary leaders to continue to fight corruption, improve the rule of law and pursue other steps to strengthen democracy," Oliver said.

The OSCE PA Secretary General expressed appreciation for Georgia's contribution to the work of the OSCE and for the parliament's offer to host the Assembly's largest annual gathering next year.

The OSCE PA Secretary General also met with First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Dondua, OSCE PA Vice-President George Tsereteli, Acting Head of the Georgian Delegation to the OSCE PA Victor Dolidze and Member of the Georgian Delegation to OSCE PA Zurab Abashidze on 17 January.

Oliver will meet with Tedo Japaridze, the Chairperson of the Georgian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, on 18 January, and will also tour the facilities and sites that will host the OSCE PA's 2016 Annual Session.

He is scheduled to meet with Manana Kobakhidze, the First Deputy Chairperson of the Georgian Parliament, on 19 January, before his departure from Tbilisi.