Parliament official says NATO Assembly documents must reflect Georgia’s Russian occupation, Alliance’s support for sovereignty

Givi Mikanadze, the Chair of the Parliament’s Committee on Education, Science and Youth Affairs, on Saturday emphasised the importance of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly acknowledging the ongoing Russian occupation of Georgian territories and reaffirming NATO’s support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In his remarks, Mikanadze stressed that clear references to Georgia’s Russian-occupied regions and NATO’s continued political backing were essential in all adopted documents.

“It is important for us that the documents adopted by the NATO Parliamentary Assembly include statements affirming that de-occupation must take place in Georgia, that territories remain occupied, and that Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity continue to be supported by NATO and its individual member states”, Mikanadze said.

He also highlighted Georgia’s contribution to Black Sea regional security and the challenges the country continues to face, particularly the Russian occupation of 20 percent of its territory.

“We will voice our positions regarding Georgia’s contribution to Black Sea regional security, the challenges we face, especially given that 20 percent of Georgia’s territory remains occupied. It is important that NATO member states and NATO as a whole are actively involved in the peace process, so that the de-occupation of our territories can happen as quickly and peacefully as possible”, the official concluded.