Georgian Parliament Speaker just, sustainable peace in Ukraine essential not only for Ukrainians but for stability in Europe, Black Sea region

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday said that a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine was necessary not only for the Ukrainian people, but also for ensuring the stability of Europe and the Black Sea region.

In his speech at the 66th General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, Papuashvili noted that recent years had been the most difficult for BSEC - Russia’s war in Ukraine and the developments in the Black Sea region that resulted from it had seriously affected the organisation’s work.

“However, despite the challenges, we managed to maintain the functioning of the organisation and to use this unique format to promote dialogue, exchanges, and outcomes important for our countries and the region”, Papuashvili said.

“In recent years, the importance of the Black Sea region has noticeably increased in terms of strategy, economy, and security. Our geographical space, which connects Europe and Asia, has always stood at the crossroads of civilizations, and today, despite numerous challenges and a difficult geopolitical environment, we must unite our efforts to cooperate in all areas that will make our region more stable, secure, and developed. In this regard, peace is the most fundamental precondition. Long-term peace is not only a desirable condition, but the foundation on which prosperity, resilience, and shared growth must be built. A just and sustainable peace in Ukraine is necessary not only for the Ukrainian people, but also for ensuring the stability of Europe and the Black Sea region. Therefore, we once again reaffirm our support for the efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive peace based on international law and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states”, he continued.

Parliament Speaker also highlighted the historic opportunity facing our wider region - the ongoing efforts toward reaching a sustainable peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

“Peace on the ground has already been achieved, transforming the security landscape of the South Caucasus and opening tremendous potential for the entire Black Sea region in terms of economic prospects and connectivity. We also welcome the steps taken toward normalizing relations between Armenia and Türkiye”, Papuashvili concluded.