Shalva Papuashvili stated that representatives of the Moldovan authorities withdrew from the friendship group delegation at the last moment, adding that he does not know what the Moldovan government has to dispute with Georgia.

According to him, members of the friendship group themselves expressed concern in this regard, noting that it was an attempt to block the delegation.

Papuashvili said that the attempt by the Moldovan authorities to block the delegation is incomprehensible.

“You know that the Moldovan parliamentary friendship group is visiting the Parliament of Georgia. Today we held a meeting with the friendship group. I would like to thank them for coming. Representatives of the Moldovan ruling party were also included in this group, and they were on the delegation list. Unfortunately, at the last moment, these individuals changed their decision not to participate, which is regrettable. Of course, we welcome everyone. It is important that there is dialogue between our countries and between our parliaments. The members of the friendship group also expressed concern that, at the last moment, representatives of the Moldovan authorities withdrew from this delegation. They spoke about an attempt to block the delegation from coming, which is somewhat incomprehensible. What is there to block about the Moldovan parliamentary friendship group visiting the Parliament of Georgia? This is not a self-proclaimed group; it is a group established by the Moldovan Parliament, with a chairperson. Blocking this is rather unclear. I don’t know what the Moldovan authorities have to divide with Georgia. It would be welcome to facilitate relations between our peoples rather than hinder them,” Papuashvili said.

For context, former Moldovan President and MP Igor Dodon visited the Parliament of Georgia together with members of the Moldovan Parliament. According to the Parliament’s press service, the Moldovan deputies represented the friendship group between the Moldovan and Georgian parliaments.