The year 2022 is of historical importance in the relations between Georgia and the European Union. The European perspective recognized by the European Union set the seal on the future of the freedom and independence won with blood by our ancestors and generations, Speaker of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili said in his speech at the "Ambassadors' Conference 2022".

According to him, 2022 was a very difficult year on the international scale, because Russia's aggression against Ukraine undermined the existing security architecture and the rules-based international order.

"As a result, we got a period of instability, fluctuations and crises that could last for a long time. It was at such a difficult time that Georgia had to take care of achieving foreign political priorities, protecting territorial integrity, expanding partnerships with Europe, America and other states, promoting peace, security and prosperity in the neighboring region. The year 2022 is of historical significance in the relations between Georgia and the European Union, the European perspective recognized by the European Union set the seal on the future of the freedom and independence won with blood by our ancestors and generations. With the implemented reforms and forward steps, our state has been progressing according to plan, although it was difficult to imagine that we would enter this process so soon together with Ukraine and Moldova. Despite this, the state met the challenge fully prepared. After submitting the EU membership application, the whole country got involved. State agencies and civil servants worked at the highest level and we were able to independently fill out the membership application in the shortest possible time. We fulfill the recommendations of the European Union with similar responsibility. 30% of the adopted laws serve to fulfill the recommendations of the European Union, i.e. we adopted 82 laws, and amendments in order to fulfill the recommendations. We hope that the European Union will properly appreciate this effort," Papuashvili said.

In addition, according to Papuashvili, his visit to Ukraine in 2022 was emotional for him.

"Ukraine became the victim of another large-scale aggression of Russia this time. It was especially emotional for me to arrive in Ukraine in April 2022 and see the Russian atrocities committed in Kyiv, Bucha and Irpen. It was emotional because our country went through similar atrocities in 2008 and in the 90s. Georgia provided substantial political, diplomatic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Despite the often undeserved criticism, Georgia will stand on the bright side of freedom in the future and will continue to lend a hand to Ukrainians fleeing war and destruction in this difficult time.

Along with the ongoing large-scale war in Ukraine, there was no peace in our region. We would like to make our contribution to peace and stability, which is a prerequisite for the development of our region, through joint parliamentary efforts with Azerbaijan and Armenia," Papuashvili said.

source: IPN