See pictures from the visit.

Georgian politicians have two main messages to the Nordic and Baltic parliamentary presidents: they desire continued support for the country’s territorial integrity they desire support the country’s reform efforts. They also express a clear wish for closer cooperation between parliaments.

The reason for the visit from the Nordic and Baltic parliaments is a common desire to help support the development of Georgian democracy and reform, which in many areas are moving in the right direction.

Visa-free travel

On Tuesday 21 March, the Nordic-Baltic delegation was at the Georgian parliament, where they met a number of parliamentarians, led by the Chairman of the Parliament, Irakli Kobakhidze. In addition, the delegation took part in meetings with Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and President Giorgi Margvelashvili.

“We have a clear mandate from our voters to continue the reform process, so that we can achieve even closer European integration,” Mr Kobakhidze said in the meeting with his Nordic and Baltic colleagues.

“There is every reason to congratulate Georgia on its progress in the reform work,” Mr Thommessen replied. “We want to support you in the work ahead combatting corruption and supporting democracy.”

The Nordic-Baltic parliamentary presidents noted that Georgia’s efforts were beginning to bear fruit: just a few days after the NB8 parliamentary presidents end their visit to Georgia, the country’s inhabitants will begin to enjoy visa-free travel to countries bound by the Schengen Agreement.

Closer cooperation sought

Chairman Kobakhidze was also interested in strengthening ties between the Georgian and the Nordic-Baltic parliaments.

“We want closer inter-parliamentary cooperation through direct contact with the parliaments, but also through international forums,” he said.

Conflict must not “be forgotten”

In the meetings, the Georgian parliamentarians also emphasised the importance of not forgetting the conflict with Russia. In 2008 Russia and Georgia went to war over the breakaway Georgian region of ​​South Ossetia. Since then, Russia has fortified its presence there and in the other breakaway area, Abkhazia.

For Georgian politicians, support for Georgia’s sovereignty and inviolate borders in the conflict with Russia over these breakaway regions is important.

Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili highlighted the conflict in his meeting with the NB8 parliamentary presidents.

“We still see Russian provocations in the regions of Abkhazia and East Ossetia. We ask that the conflict not be forgotten. If we are to reach our goals, we need stability,” he said.

Visited areas near South Ossetia

Mr Thommessen and the other parliamentary presidents began their visit to Georgia on Monday 20 March with a visit to the administrative boundary with South Ossetia, where Russia has maintained and strengthened its military presence since the war in 2008.

There the delegation received a briefing on the situation by the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM). EUMM follows the situation carefully, maintains close contact with the local population, and contributes to stability with its presence.

Afterwards, the delegation saw how border barriers and barbed-wire fences placed across fields and local roads divide the population.

“It made a strong impression to see that the administrative boundary line with South Ossetia was only 400 metres from the main road between Tbilisi and Gori, and to see how the local population suffers in this situation,” said the President of the Storting.