Georgian Parliament Speaker meets new French ambassador, pledges closer ties

Georgia’s parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili has held an introductory meeting with France’s new ambassador to Tbilisi, Olivier Courteaud, reaffirming the “historically close ties” between the two countries.

The parliament’s press office said on Monday Papuashvili had expressed gratitude for France’s “steadfast support” of Georgia’s territorial integrity and its policy of non-recognition of the country’s Russian-occupied regions.

Georgia’s parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili has held an introductory meeting with France’s new ambassador to Tbilisi, Olivier Courteaud, reaffirming the “historically close ties” between the two countries.

The parliament’s press office said on Monday Papuashvili had expressed gratitude for France’s “steadfast support” of Georgia’s territorial integrity and its policy of non-recognition of the country’s Russian-occupied regions.

Ambassador Courteaud said France had stood by Georgia since it regained independence, stressing that in today’s complex international environment, unity, sovereignty and independence were principles of particular importance.

The two sides also discussed Georgia’s political situation and current developments. Both highlighted the role of diplomacy in building relations based on national interests and agreed to strengthen cooperation in support of Georgia’s European integration.

The meeting concluded with both parties underlining the importance of maintaining open, constructive dialogue grounded in trust., stressing that in today’s complex international environment, unity, sovereignty and independence were principles of particular importance.

The two sides also discussed Georgia’s political situation and current developments. Both highlighted the role of diplomacy in building relations based on national interests and agreed to strengthen cooperation in support of Georgia’s European integration.

The meeting concluded with both parties underlining the importance of maintaining open, constructive dialogue grounded in trust.