Georgian Parliament Speaker thanks Nauruan counterpart for revoking recognition of Georgia’s Russian-occupied regions

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday met with Marcus Stephens, Speaker of the Parliament of Nauru. The meeting marked the first encounter between the speakers of the two countries’ parliaments since Georgia and Nauru established diplomatic relations.

Papuashvili thanked Stephens for Nauru’s decision to withdraw its recognition of Georgia’s occupied regions of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region as “independent states” and to sever diplomatic relations with the regions.

He said the decision was a clear demonstration of respect for international law.

The sides positively assessed the establishment of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Nauru, noting that the move marked the beginning of fruitful bilateral cooperation.

They also expressed readiness to further develop parliamentary ties.

Papuashvili said Georgia was ready to share with Nauru its successful experience in implementing reforms.

The meeting was held in Arusha, Tanzania, on the sidelines of the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Papuashvili was accompanied by Nikoloz Samkharadze, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Relations, and Mariam Lashkhi, Chair of the Committee on Education, Science and Youth Affairs.