Delegation of Georgia, headed by Speaker of the Parliament Mr David Usupashvili, paid an official visit to Montenegro, in the period 22-24 April. During the visit of the Delegation, meetings were held with Chairperson of the Committee on International Relations and Emigrants Mr Miodrag Vuković and members of the Friendship Group with the Parliament of Georgia Ms Žana Filipović and Mr Milan Knežević. The Georgian Delegation was also composed of Chairperson of the Foreign Relations Committee Mr Tedo Japaridze, Chair of the Friendship Group with Montenegro Mr Pridon Sakvarelidze and non-resident Ambassador of Georgia to Montenegro based in Budapest Mr Zaza Kandelaki.

Chairperson of the Committee on International Relations and Emigrants Mr Miodrag Vuković hosted a working dinner organised in the honour of high officials of Georgia, on day one of the visit – 22 April. At the meeting, traditionally good relations between Montenegro and Georgia were confirmed, and the possibilities for enhancing and improving bilateral cooperation were considered. The talks were primarily concentrated on the same foreign policy objectives of Montenegro and Georgia in respect of entering the European Union and North Atlantic Alliance. “Euro-Atlantic objectives that we are sharing, as well as challenges in the field of meeting wanted standards and achieving results should be a foundation of true and effective cooperation at international level”, Mr Usupashvili pointed out. The interlocutors shared opinions on numerous current issues of regional importance for the both countries, but also wider, for the European surrounding, as well as challenges in the constellation of global political relations. Speaking of possibilities for connection of the two countries, Chairperson of the Committee on International Relations and Emigrants Mr Miodrag Vuković particularly emphasised the perspective of cooperation in the field of tourism, especially having in mind bilateral agreement on cooperation in this field, which represented favourable framework and opened a wide spectrum of cooperation aimed both at development of tourism and genuine interconnection of states and peoples of Montenegro and Georgia.

Members of the interparliamentary Friendship Group for cooperation with the Parliament of Georgia Ms Žana Filipović and Mr Milan Knežević hosted the Delegation during the working lunch, on 23 April. On the occasion, members of the Friendship Group informed the Delegation about newly established interparliamentary Friendship Group for cooperation with Georgia, which represented a confirmation of good relation of the two states, but also an additional mechanism in establishing more productive cooperation among parliamentarians of the two states. Emphasising that the two states have very similar objectives and challenges, Speaker Usupashvili is convinced that the parliamentary cooperation of the two parliaments, particularly working bodies and friendship groups, represents a moving force for establishing all other contacts, which will bring to bonding and continuity of good relations. In addition to already confirmed cooperation at parliamentary level, MP Ms Žana Filipović pointed to the need of intensifying political dialogue and exchange of experiences in numerous fields of interests and particularly having in mind the experience of Montenegro in the previous process of the European integration. MP Mr Milan Knežević shared views with the Delegation about the foreign policy priorities of the both countries and voiced hope that the cooperation of the two countries will be long-term and fruitful, and that priority should be given primarily to economic relations, i.e. the creation of favourable conditions for the development of bilateral economic cooperation, which is a sure path to economic growth, competitiveness and better living standards. Mr Pridon Sakvarelidze, Chair of the Friendship Group with the Parliament of Montenegro, voiced a particular pleasure over the initiation of inter-parliamentary cooperation through the friendship group, as a special form which needs to deepen cooperation, bring the nations closer and confirm friendship between the two countries. During the working lunch, they also exchanged opinions about the gender equality and participation of women in political life, particularly their presence in the parliament. It was jointly stated that the both countries should make additional efforts in order to establish a foundation for equal opportunities for women and men and strengthen political participation of women.