Joint Declaration
by the Senate of Romania and the Parliament of Georgia

In view of the strong historical and cultural ties between the Romanian and Georgian peoples;
Building on the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between Romania and Georgia, signed in Bucharest on 11 October 2022;
Affirming the importance of further developing our nations’ relations as friends and strategic partners;
Recognizing the common values and interests of Romania and Georgia resulting from our historical, political, economic ties, and cultural affinity, as well as shared European values, interests and aspirations;
Striving to strengthen Europe as a community of free, equal states, based on democracy, rule of law, common values and solidarity;
Welcoming the decision of Georgia to apply for the European Union membership as well as Georgia’s efforts in implementing relevant reforms for this goal, in line with the priorities included in the Commission’s Opinion;
Welcoming the decision of the European Council of 23-24 June 2022 on granting European perspective to Georgia;
Highlighting the high importance of Romania's support for Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic path, as well as the significance of practical engagement and experience sharing activities;
Convinced of the important role of national parliaments in achieving mutually beneficial goals of our two countries;
Taking into account the Memorandum of Understanding between the Committee on European Affairs of the Senate of Romania and European Integration Committee of the Parliament of Georgia signed in Bucharest on 23 February 2023;
The Senate of Romania and the Parliament of Georgia (hereinafter referred to as the “Participants”) announce their intention to establish a higher level of cooperation between national parliaments and decide as follows:

Paragraph 1.
The Participants will promote dialogue and experience-sharing on issues of mutual interest.

Paragraph 2.
The Participants express their strong and lasting support for the principles of international law, including sovereignty and territorial integrity.
 
Paragraph 3.
The Participants will pursue strategic coordination and experience-sharing with a view to supporting the goal of Georgia’s membership into the European Union; as well as enhance partnership in areas of common interest, including but not limited to legislative expertise on energy, environmental protection, transportation, connectivity, and education.

Paragraph 4.
The Participants will strengthen their mutual parliamentary cooperation, particularly in the following areas:

• Regular bilateral meetings between the Speakers and Deputy Speakers delegated by the Speakers;
• Coordinated actions in international and European parliamentary organizations and formats;
• Regular contacts between the friendship groups and relevant committees;
• Cooperation to strengthen institutional capabilities of parliamentary committees;
• Reciprocal visits and consultations between Parliamentary Committees, especially the Committees working in the fields of foreign affairs, European affairs and economy;
• Enhancing cultural, educational, and professional exchange programmes for parliamentary staffers that promote closer ties and increase mutual understanding between the parliaments.

Paragraph 5.
The Participants will review the situation regarding the achievement of objectives set out herein and agree on further actions during the regular meetings of the Speakers.

Paragraph 6.
Bilateral visits of the Participants will be financed in line with the principle of reciprocity. When engaging in any other joint action, the Participants will draw up dedicated agreements regarding the financing of the necessary expenditure.

Paragraph 7.
Relevant committees and departments for international parliamentary relations in the offices of the Participants will coordinate the implementation of the provision made herein.

Paragraph 8.
The Participants may jointly decide at any time to amend this Joint Declaration. Amendments will form an integral part hereof.

Paragraph 9.
This Joint Declaration comes into effect upon signature by both Participants and may be terminated in writing at any time by either of the Participants.
Signed in Bucharest on 25 of September 2023, in English, in two original copies.

 

Nicolae-Ionel Ciucă     President      of the Senate of Romania

Shalva Papuashvili                                 Chairman                            of the Parliament of Georgia