THE mayor of Kutaisi, one of Newport’s twinned cities, visited Newport earlier this week.

Shota Murghulia, who visited the city with his wife, amongst other, was welcomed by representatives of Newport City Council and of the Newport Kutaisi Twinning Organisation.

They were joined by Her Excellency Tamar Beruchashvili, the Georgian Ambassador to the UK, and Ekaterine Kokaia, senior counsellor at the Embassy of Georgia, in a visit to the Civic Centre in Newport on Tuesday.

A presentation by Councillor Wilcox on the management and development of the city was followed by talks with the Georgian Ambassador. There were also presentations by Keith Backhouse, of Coleg Gwent, and Tim Hartley, of Welsh football charity GOL.

Councillor Wilcox said: “Newport has had a warm and productive relationship with Kutaisi for more than a quarter of the century.

“We were delighted to welcome our friends.”