Georgian Parliament Speaker, UK Commons Speaker discuss Georgia-UK relations, strategic dialogue

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday met with Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, on the sidelines of the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Arusha, Tanzania.

Papuashvili said the current state of relations between Georgia and the United Kingdom did not reflect the longstanding friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries, stressing the importance of open and constructive dialogue.

He expressed gratitude to the UK for its unwavering support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and its policy of non-recognition of the occupied regions.

The sides discussed bilateral relations and highlighted the importance of restoring the Wardrop Strategic Dialogue, as well as further developing parliamentary ties.

They also exchanged views on the negative impact of foreign influence on political decision-making processes.

Hoyle stressed the importance of dialogue between Georgia and the UK and expressed hope that bilateral relations would improve.

Papuashvili briefed his counterpart on the activities and current priorities of the Georgian Parliament.

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