Marija Pejčinović Burić, the Council of Europe's Secretary General, on Monday extended her congratulations to Irakli Kobakhidze, the newly confirmed Georgian Prime Minister, in a message on ties between the country and the bloc, and the former’s European Union integration.

Burić said Georgia had a “long history of close cooperation” with the CoE in human rights, rule of law, democracy and the recently launched 2024-2027 action plan for Georgia, which aims to support the country’s efforts to meet its obligations as a Council member through “further promotion” of “European standards and values”.

The official expressed her confidence the country would continue its “dynamic and constructive” membership in the CoE and strengthen its European integration path.

She added the Fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the CoE, hosted last year in Reykjavík, had “fostered a renewed sense of unity in the face of unprecedented challenges”, and noted she was “looking forward to fruitful cooperation with [Kobakhidze] in achieving these common goals”.

The Georgian Parliament on Thursday approved Kobakhidze as the head of the Government with 84 votes in favour and 10 against, following the resignation of Irakli Garibashvili as the PM on January 29.