Mariam Lashkhi, Chair of the Education, Science and Youth Affairs Committee, her First Deputy, Giorgi Chakvetadze and the First Deputy Chair of the EU Integration Committee, Head of the Georgia-Italy Friendship Group, Vakhtang Turnava met with the Chair of the Culture, Science and Education Committee of the Italian Parliament, Federico Mollicone. 

Mr Mollicone affirmed his support for Georgia and expressed a desire to visit the country in the near future. He underlined the value of Georgia as a strategic partner and the unique nature of the Georgian culture. 

The discourse addressed the situation in Georgia and the attempts to interfere in its national affairs. The Parliamentary Delegation informed their Italian colleagues about the legislation on family values and transparency, as well as the scheduled and ongoing reforms in the country. 

The special emphasis was placed on cultural and parliamentary diplomacy. As noted, the Georgian Culture Days held at the Franco Zeffirelli Foundation in Florence proved to be highly successful. 

The parties agreed to initiate cultural exchange programmes with a focus on archaeology. These programmes would include exchanges for educators and students and the application of Italian expertise for the digitalisation of Georgian ancient manuscripts. 

The discussion encompassed the importance of preserving cultural identity in the contemporary globalised world. Mr Mollicone shared the Italian experience in safeguarding traditional values through national legislation. 

The parties agreed on the exchange of legislation on family, education and culture domains, sharing experience in maintaining the balance between European standards and national values and the enhancement of Christian values and the family institution. 

The discussion addressed contemporary informational threats. F. Mollicone emphasised the necessity of legal initiatives against disinformation, cyber threats, fake news and deep fakes. The parties agreed to exchange legal initiatives in these sectors, given that Georgia faces significant challenges from disinformation campaigns in the region.

The necessity of the formation of the Italy-Georgia friendship group in terms of parliamentary diplomacy.