Georgia and Italy discuss deepening parliamentary ties during official visit

Georgian parliamentary majority member Vakhtang Turnava has said discussions during an official visit to Italy focused on further strengthening bilateral relations between the countries, as well as enhancing parliamentary co-operation.

“During the official visit to Italy, we held meetings with the President of the Senate Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, Maurizio Gasparri. We also met with the President of the Georgia Friendship Group in the Senate, Marco Silvestroni,” said Turnava.

He added the talks covered regional security and ongoing geopolitical developments, including Georgia’s occupied territories, the Russia-Ukraine war and developments surrounding Iran, which he said were having a “significant impact” on both the South Caucasus and European security.

Turnava said discussions also focused on Georgia’s role in ensuring Europe’s — particularly Italy’s — energy security.

He said the parties also discussed challenges related to Georgia-European Union relations and called on Italian counterparts to support continued constructive dialogue between Brussels and Tbilisi.

“Italian partners once again confirmed their support for Georgia’s European integration and noted that Georgia is a priority partner for them,” Turnava said, adding that Italy had pledged to continue supporting Georgia, including on “difficult and critical issues”.

The visit is ongoing and additional meetings are planned, he added.