Azernews.Az

By Jamila Babayeva

During his visit to Tallinn, Georgian Parliamentary Speaker David Usupashvili held the first meeting with his Estonian counterpart Ene Ergma.

The parties discussed bilateral Georgian-Estonian relations, the process of European integration and the NATO summit in 2014, the Georgian parliament reported.

Ene Ergma welcomed the 2012 parliamentary elections in Georgia and the peaceful transfer of power, and stressed that the elections were a great success of Georgia.

David Usupashvili thanked the Estonian side for assistance provided to Georgia and support in the process of restoring the territorial integrity and European integration.

Georgian parliamentary speaker touched upon the upcoming NATO summit and stressed that "Georgia does not forget the promise of the Bucharest summit and despite the fact that the country has successfully performed its obligations, a particular outcome is still to be seen."

"Georgia is awaiting a concrete result - MAP, and if there is not that result, some problems may arise in the process of European integration as well," Usupashvili said.

Speakers of the Parliaments of the two countries after talks summed up the meeting. Eni Ergma stressed that the parliaments of the two countries cooperate closely, and this relationship will continue in the future.

"The year 2014 is of great importance for Georgia, and we are ready to give it the proper support and assistance," Ergma said.

"In the coming months we are to sign an association agreement, and we will not allow anyone to interfere with the process. We also want to achieve a significant advance at the NATO summit and strengthen the country's security. It is with the entry into the EU and NATO that Baltic countries have strengthened their security and, on the other hand, achieved economic prosperity. We have much to learn from them, and our colleagues are ready to share their experience with us," Usupashvili said.

Usupashvili accompanied with a parliamentary delegation is on an official visit to Estonia on January 13 - 15.

Other official meetings are planned to be held with Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet as part of the visit.

During the meetings, the sides will discuss the prospects for intensifying the cooperation between Georgia and Estonia at the parliamentary level and in the political, economic and cultural spheres. Particular attention will be paid to the foreign policy priorities.