Victor Dolidze, Head of Georgia's Delegation to the OSCE PA, at the Autumn Meeting in Geneva, 3 October 2014COPENHAGEN, 6 October 2014 – At the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's Standing Committee meeting in Geneva on 4 October, the Heads of National Delegations unanimously approved an invitation from Speaker of the Georgian Parliament David Usupashvili, delivered by Georgian Head of Delegation Victor Dolidze, for Georgia to host the Assembly's 25th Annual Session in the summer of 2016. The decision was warmly welcomed by PA President Ilkka Kanerva and Secretary General Spencer Oliver.

"The Georgian Delegation to the PA has long been one of the most active and constructive delegations in our Assembly, and I'm very pleased that they have stepped up to host this important meeting," said Oliver. "I reiterate the need for all participating States to share the load in hosting the Parliamentary Assembly's Annual Sessions, Autumn Meetings and conferences."

Georgia last hosted a meeting of the Assembly in May 2012, when the PA's Economic Conference took place in Batumi, Georgia. Nearly 100 parliamentarians from 34 OSCE countries convened for the three-day conference focused on fostering economic co-operation, sustainable development and stability in the OSCE region.