Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia addressed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) today. In his speech, Grigol Vashadze touched upon several issues significant to Georgia as well as the European Union.
The minister emphasized significance of Georgia for the European security; the ongoing reforms in Georgia and necessity of reforming CoE.
"In 1999, at the ceremony dedicated to Georgia's accession to the Council of Europe, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly, Lord Russell-Johnston addressed the Georgian delegation with the following words: "Georgia, welcome back home!" In this very spirit, the former Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Mr. Zurab Zhvania spoke the words that every Georgian remembers and will remember: ‘‘We are Georgians, therefore, we are Europeans''.
"This bond was clearly demonstrated in 2008, when the Assembly stood with people of Georgia to protect common European values and principles. You have acted without delay, timely raised your voice and confirmed that the conflicts between the CoE member states and their resolution transcend the responsibilities of the parties involved.
"Today, Georgia is still facing external challenges and threats that undermine not only the basic foundations of our statehood - sovereignty and territorial integrity, but the core values of the Council of Europe as well.
"The Russian aggression against Georgia, occupation of its territories and ethnic cleansing of Georgians and other ethnic groups revealed that goals set by the founding fathers of the Council of Europe are not yet achieved.
The same holds true for the consequences of the Russian invasion and the ongoing occupation of the Georgian territories. This Assembly has thoroughly assessed the situation in its resolutions, as well as decisions in respect to the Russia-Georgia war file and adopted concrete measures to be implemented by the two conflicting states. However, mere identification of steps, without their further implementation is hardly sufficient. I am confident that as long as the issue continues to remain high on the political agenda of the Assembly, Russian leadership will realise that there is no other way than to start fulfilling its international commitments and obligations," - Grigol Vashadze said at the Assembly.
After the speech, the Georgian foreign minister answered questions of the European MPs.
