Mogherini praises Georgia’s implementation of Association Agreement
By Tea Mariamidze
Thursday, March 7
European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, stated that Georgia has made great steps in the implementation of our Association Agreement (AA), signed between the sides in 2014.
Following the 5th EU-Georgia Association Council held in Brussels on March 5, led by the Georgian Prime Minister, Mamuka Bakhtadze, the sides made comments at the joint press conference.
According to Mogherini, Georgia’s implementation of the AA provides the basis for mutual political association and economic integration.
“The EU is fully committed to exploring the full potential of our partnership, including the export and growth offered by the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area that we have in place,” she added.
She also said that the visa-free regime that Georgia has with the EU, granted in March 2017, has benefited 300,000 Georgian citizens who traveled to EU countries.
Mogherini added that with the Georgian side she discussed the importance of continuing the good work already done in the area of rule of law and for Georgia further to strengthen its judicial institutions in a transparent manner.
In addition, she reiterated EU’s firm support towards Georgia’s territorial integrity.
“We support your territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders, and we are committed to peace, stability, and peaceful conflict-resolution, which will benefit all Georgians and the wider region,” she said.
Mogherini noted that in addition to already done much work there is still a lot to do.
“There is potential in the relationship to make most out of it and more benefits to bring to both the EU and Georgian citizens,” she said.
Georgian PM thanked the EU representatives for the very productive Association Council meeting. He underlined that Georgia continues to overhaul its legislative and institutional system to bring it in line with EU norms and standards.
The PM noted that the sides discussed the peaceful resolution of Russia-Georgia conflict and the occupation.
“We value the EU's firm support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and contribution through maintaining the Monitoring Mission in Georgia, as well as the mediation effort within the Geneva International Discussions. The support through the non-recognition and engagement policy is of crucial importance for maintaining peace and security in the region,” he added.
According to Bakhtadze, Georgia’s trade relations with the EU are increasing and businesses in Georgia are greatly benefiting from the opportunities offered by DCFTA.
“At the meeting, we discussed concrete steps aimed at promoting Georgian products on the EU market and enhancing our economic cooperation. At the meeting, we also presented our EU Integration Roadmap, which is of unilateral nature, and which consolidates our reforms and an entire toolbox of EU-Georgia cooperation to accelerate and advance Georgia's European integration,” he said.
The PM noted that Georgia welcomes the EU's efforts in attracting substantial investments in Georgia's infrastructural development through the TEN-T investment plan, which will further enhance the country's potential as a regional hub.
“We also paid attention to the need and importance of greater connectivity across the Black Sea. This will promote and increase EU trade with the Central Asian and South Caucasian countries, which will provide better access for European companies in the region as well,” he said.
Bakhtadze added that the government of Georgia is working hard to prove that democracy promotion, institution building, civic empowerment, and reforms do work.
“We promise to continue on this path, and we hope that we will be fully welcomed to contribute to the European family. Georgia and our people have a full commitment to the path toward the EU. It is a value-based choice toward returning to our civilizational choice, the European family,” he stated.
The association council is the highest formal institution established under the EU-Georgia association agreement to supervise the implementation of the agreement.
