Nikoloz Samkharadze, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and Head of the Georgian Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, is participating in the Assembly`s Winter Session.

During his speech at the Political Affairs and Security Committee, Samkharadze evaluated the committee`s future report presented by a German rapporteur, expressing concern over the omission of Georgia in discussions regarding Russia`s occupation.

"I listened to the rapporteur very attentively and must admit I am both surprised and concerned. While addressing Russia`s aggression and occupation, Georgia was not mentioned. Furthermore, when discussing the situation in Georgia, the rapporteur failed to reference the Russian occupation. I urge the rapporteur to include Russia’s occupation of Georgia in the report", - said Samkharadze.

At the end of the committee session, the rapporteur responded to his remarks, confirming that the issue of Russia`s occupation of Georgia would indeed be added to the report.

In his address, Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee emphasized that Russia`s occupation remains Georgia`s primary threat and challenge. He called on the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and its member states to condemn the so-called "presidential elections" held in Abkhazia last Saturday.

"I would like to inform you that so-called presidential elections took place in the occupied territory of Abkhazia this past Saturday. I call upon the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and its member states to condemn this illegal election", - urged Samkharadze.

The parliamentary delegation, led by Nikoloz Samkharadze, is on an official visit to Vienna, Austria. The delegation includes Levan Makhashvili, Chair of the European Integration Committee, and Maia Bitadze, Chair of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee.