This is undoubtedly a historic event in relations between Warsaw and Tbilisi. On Wednesday, the first session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Poland and Georgia began in the Senate Chamber with the participation of representatives of the Sejm, the Senate and the Georgian Parliament. - We are united by our cooperation, which today we raise to the highest level," Marek Kuchciński, Speaker of the Sejm, emphasized in his opening speech.

As the Speaker of the Sejm pointed out, the convening of the session is a result of the strengthening of contacts between Poland and Georgia over the past two years, which was reflected in the strategic partnership agreement between the two parliaments adopted in December 2017 in Warsaw. - The history of Polish-Georgian relations is particularly close due to the historical similarity of our experiences, related to the struggle for independence and our own statehood, he stressed. He recalled that both nations regained their independence in 1918.

Marek Kuchciński emphasized Georgia's connection with the EU and NATO. - This is important for the security of Georgia and the entire macro-region, especially as it was directly threatened during the Georgian-Russian war in 2008. - assessed Marek Kuchciński. - It was then that the late President Lech Kaczyński undertook an unprecedented action to defend Georgia, to which he attracted presidents and prime ministers of Central European countries - he emphasized. In this context he recalled the resolution adopted by the Sejm to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Russian aggression against Georgia and the action taken by the late President .

In his speech the Speaker of the Sejm emphasized that Poland highly values the international activity of the Parliament of Georgia, especially in multilateral and regional initiatives. - We are always pleased with the reliable participation of the representatives of the Georgian Parliament in the Summits of Speakers of Parliaments of Central and Eastern European Countries - said Marek Kuchciński.

The Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Irakli Kobakhidze, also pointed out that Poland and Georgia share a similar history. He noted that despite the large geographical distance between our countries there is great sympathy between them. - We look with pride at this great undertaking - the Parliamentary Assembly of Poland and Georgia - said Irakli Kobakhidze. He added that the relations between Poland and Georgia are long lasting and full of mutual respect and friendship. - Georgia sees Polish friends as a bridge connecting us with the West - noted the head of the Georgian Parliament. Irakli Kobakhidze thanked Poland for supporting Georgian aspirations to join the European Union and NATO. He also thanked the Polish authorities for supporting the independence and territorial integrity of Georgia.

According to Stanisław Karczewski, Speaker of the Senate, Poles and Georgians have a similar assessment of the state of international relations and they see the source of their destabilization in the same place. - When the late President Lech Kaczyński in 2008 said: "Today Georgia, tomorrow Ukraine, the day after tomorrow the Baltic States, and then maybe my country, Poland", he was saying what most Poles think when they learn of another Russian attack on their neighbor.

Speaker Karczewski said that Georgia is important for Poland in political terms. - The Kremlin's actions must be blocked wherever there is a temptation for Russia to resort to violence. The most effective instrument for that is NATO," he explained. According to Stanisław Karczewski, Georgia is important for Poland because it is a key country for facilitating the transit of energy resources from the Caspian Sea to Europe. - Poland invariably supports Georgian efforts to become a full member of the North Atlantic Alliance - emphasized the Speaker of the Senate. He also expressed his recognition of Georgia's progress on the path to European integration. - Georgians will always be able to count on Polish support on this path," assured Mr Stanisław Karczewski.

The official opening of the meeting was followed by a discussion on the history of relations between the two countries. Among the speakers was Minister of Foreign Affairs Jacek Czaputowicz. The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke about the good climate of relations between Poland and Georgia. - Polish and Georgian nations are connected not only by deep friendship but also by love of freedom. We share historical similarity of experiences related to the fight for independence and stronger neighbors - explained Minister Czaputowicz.

The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the issue of Georgia's sovereignty over its entire territory has not been closed. - On the international forum, Poland invariably supports the territorial integrity of Georgia and its sovereignty within the borders recognized by the international community. Jacek Czaputowicz added that Poland supports political settlement of the problems resulting from Russia's armed aggression against sovereign Georgia. - We believe in rooting Georgia permanently in Europe by joining the EU and the Euro-Atlantic security system in the future. Development and security of Georgia is in the interest of Poland, Europe and the entire international community - this statement is the basis for setting the direction of Polish diplomacy," he noted.

Chairman of the Georgian-Polish Group Giorgi Volski emphasized that Poland recognized Georgia's independence earlier than other countries. He drew attention to the contribution of Marshal Józef Piłsudski to the development of mutual relations. He noted that they have always relied on support and close cooperation, which is reflected in the current session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Poland and Georgia. Giorgi Volski pointed out that good cooperation between the two countries does not only concern diplomatic and parliamentary relations. He emphasized that it also has a practical dimension, for example, cooperation in the field of education and higher education. The President also spoke about the development of tourism. - Polish tourists feel comfortable and safe in Georgia. That is why they choose Georgia to visit and rest here - he said.

Małgorzata Gosiewska, the chairwoman of the Polish-Georgian Parliamentary Group, recalled the recent history of relations between the two countries. - We do not have difficult issues that divide us. Our meeting today is intended to bring us even closer together," she said. The chairwoman highlighted the contribution of the late President Lech Kaczyński to strengthening mutual relations and giving them a new dimension. - Lech Kaczyński visited Georgia seven times during his presidency. He always strongly supported Georgia in its European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations - she emphasized. Małgorzata Gosiewska noted that President Kaczyński tried to build cooperation between the countries of the former Soviet bloc. - We were united by a common interest in our relations with Russia and by the search for possibilities of limiting Russian domination in the extraction, sale and transport of energy resources," she added.

Dr. David Kolbaia from the East European Studies at the University of Warsaw reminded the story of an officer of the Polish Army and the Home Army, whose fate is a testimony to the common history of Poland and Georgia. He was awarded the Virtutti Militari Order for fighting in defense of Poland during World War II.

The opening ceremony of the historic session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Poland and Georgia was attended not only by delegates from the Sejm, the Senate and the Georgian Parliament, but also by the heads of chancelleries of both Polish chambers Agnieszka Kaczmarska and Jakub Kowalski.

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The Poland-Georgia Assembly was established in order to develop and strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the parliaments of both countries. The task of the new body is to consider matters of interest to the Chamber and to adopt joint positions. Plenary sessions of the Assembly will be held once a year, alternately in Poland and Georgia. The Polish delegation is headed by the Deputy Speaker of the Senate Maria Koc, while the deputy chairperson is Ms Magdalena Kochan.

The Sejm passed a resolution on the establishment of the Parliamentary Assembly of Poland and Georgia on March 22, 2018, and on April 11, 2018 a similar document was adopted by the Senate. While in the Parliament of Georgia, this new forum for Polish-Georgian cooperation was established on April 20, 2018. The Statute of the Assembly was signed on November 5, 2018 in Tbilisi by the Speaker of the Sejm Marek Kuchcinski during his official visit to Georgia.

Speech by the Speaker of the Sejm during the Parliamentary Assembly of Poland and Georgia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDD8uZvI2_0

Photo by M. Olejnik