Estonian parlt committee chair to join European Parliament delegation on visit to Georgia

TALLINN - Marko Mihkelson, chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Estonian parliament, is to participate in a visit to Georgia on Monday at the invitation of Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, alongside leaders of parliamentary committees from European Union countries.

Mihkelson said that the goal of the visit, organized under the leadership of Zourabichvili, is to show support for Georgia's pro-European people and political forces amid the country’s democratic regression. The parliamentary elections held at the end of October were marred by widespread violations, and opposition groups, independent media, and civil society face increasing restrictions.

"During the visit, we will stress that the violations committed before and during the elections must be fully investigated," Mihkelson said. He, along with European colleagues, called last week for the creation of an independent international commission to investigate the matter. Mihkelson also emphasized that European countries must continue to support those in Georgia advocating for the country's democratic and European future.

The visit will involve eight parliamentary committee leaders who will meet with the Georgian president in Tbilisi on Monday and hold a joint press conference. They will also meet with opposition party leaders, representatives from non-governmental organizations, and independent media. Mihkelson expressed disappointment that Georgian government officials declined to meet with the EU delegation.

In addition to Mihkelson, the delegation includes heads of parliamentary committees from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, France, Sweden, Germany, and Finland.