Maka Botchorishvili, the chair of the European Integration Committee in the Georgian Parliament, on Thursday said despite Russia’s continued occupation of Georgian territories, the presence of their troops in the de facto regions, and the absence of any security umbrellas, Tbilisi had expressed  “solidarity and unwavering support to the Ukrainian people”, and backed “all international efforts” in support of Kyiv. 

In her address at the opening of the 12th meeting of the Georgia-EU Association Parliamentary Committee, the MP highlighted the circumstances put Georgia “in an unique position”, unlike many other countries. 

"We currently live in a very difficult geopolitical environment. European security continues to be challenged by Russian aggression, and it is clear that ensuring security and unity remains an important priority for the European Union. It is also clear that guaranteeing European security requires achieving and maintaining peace and stability in the EU's neighborhood”, she said. 

Botchorishvili stressed Russia's “unjustified war of aggression in Ukraine” had created additional security threats in the South Caucasus region, and added despite “this fragile and vulnerable security environment, Georgia expresses its solidarity and unwavering support to the Ukrainian people fighting for their country's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity”. 

She also claimed the Georgian Government was doing “its utmost” to meet the conditions outlined by the European Council last year to grant Georgia the EU’s membership candidate status, with the decision expected by the end of this year.