Chairwoman of the European Integration Committee Maka Botchorishvili delivered a speech at the plenary session of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC).

According to the press service of the Parliament, Maka Botchorishvili spoke at the session about the importance of EU enlargement policy for ensuring peace and security in Europe.

"Enlargement is the most important strategic, geopolitical issue related to the future of the European Union, and we must do everything for its success," said Maka Botchorishvili.

She focused on the significant progress in the process of association of Georgia with the European Union and emphasized the current process of integration into the European Union.

"We are currently working on the 9 steps defined by the European Union and we are trying to continue the positive dynamics in terms of alignment with the foreign and security policy of the European Union, despite the security challenges that are facing us due to the occupation of the regions of Georgia by Russia," said Maka Botchorishvili.

According to him, the candidate countries need effective integration mechanisms to accelerate the economic and political integration into the European Union.

"Individual approach is necessary, but at the same time candidate countries should be given equal opportunities. Accession negotiations with all candidate countries should start immediately," said Maka Botchorishvili.

The delegations of the European affairs committees of the parliaments of the 27 EU member states and candidate countries, as well as representatives of the EU institutions, are participating in the plenary session of COSAC, which is hosted by Belgium, the country holding the EU presidency in Brussels.

ipn.ge