2016-12-02
Head of the Government of Georgia participated in the III Meeting of EU-Georgia Association Council, which was held in Brussels on December 2, 2016. Meeting was chaired by Ms. Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Association Council welcomed the competitive and adequate organization of general elections in Georgia in October of the current year, with a due protection of basic rights as noted in the Preliminary Report of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). EU expressed its readiness to closely cooperate with the new Government of Georgia (GOG) to implement the Mutual EU-Georgia General Agenda. Association Council noted the great importance of Association Agreement (AA) Implementation Report by Georgia in 2016, which positively views the significant progress achieved in the relationship of EU and Georgia. EU acknowledges European aspirations of Georgia, European choice and common goals, which imply the continued building of a democratic, stable and successful statehood.
One of the key topics of the Association Council was the visa-liberalization, which is of tremendous importance for the country and represents an evidence of the political support from EU. It was noted at the meeting that Georgia succeeded in meeting all the benchmark requirements of the Action Plan for Visa-Liberalization and focus was made on the need to quickly complete the decision-making process. Specific measures were also discussed for the facilitation of implementation in view of the Free Trade Agreement.
After the completion of the EU-Georgia Association Council Meeting, H.E. Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia and Ms. Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy held a joint press-conference. Parties spoke about the topics discussed at the meeting. In the opinion of Ms. Mogherini, Georgia has met all the benchmarks for the visa-liberalization and along with other colleagues, she looks forward to the final decision of the European Council and Parliament. It will thus complete the process and citizens of Georgia will enjoy the visa-free movement within the EU.
"Prime Minister and myself, we work with our colleagues in the European Union to make this happen. Georgia has worked in an incredible manner to make this happen. It met all the benchmarks. There is nothing that can influence this in a negative manner. I am convinced about that. I cannot give you a date, because it is now in the hands of the Parliament and the Council to finalize this procedure internally in the European Union with an applicable mechanism. So, I am confident that it is coming soon. I cannot give a date, but as I have been very positive since the very beginning on the fact that it would have been reached, I am sure that we can make the very last steps to make this happen" noted Ms. Mogherini.
European integration of Georgia, Association Agenda for 2017-2020 and visa-liberalization process have been discussed by the Prime Minister of Georgia within his official visit to Brussels. H.E. Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Head of the Government of Georgia (GOG) held his first meeting with H.E. Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament. Parties discussed key topics of cooperation between the EU and Georgia. Host official congratulated the visiting leader with the successful performance of the general elections and positively assessed the progress achieved by the country towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Prime Minister of Georgia expressed his gratitude to the President of the European Parliament for sending the EU Monitoring Delegation during the general elections of the country. Head of the Government stressed the great importance of EU support in the implementation of the vital reforms of Georgia. In his opinion, authorities of the country do their best for the political association and economic integration of Georgia with EU. Meeting was focused on the topic of visa-liberalization.
Georgia continues the implementation of comprehensive reforms to get closer to the norms and standards of EU, noted H.E. Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia at the meeting with H.E. Donald Tusk, President of the European Council. Meeting was held at the Headquarters of the Council of Europe. Head of the Government of Georgia was escorted by the members of the official delegation. Mr. Tusk congratulated the visiting leader with the success achieved in the general elections. In his opinion, it is essential for the democratic development of the country. Significance of the Prime Minister's visit was stressed at the meeting, which in the opinion of the parties is yet another evidence of the strategic partnership between the EU and Georgia. It was noted at the meeting that Report published by EU confirms the considerable progress achieved by the country for political association and economic integration of Georgia with Europe inter alia in the following areas: democratic consolidation and increased independence of the judiciary, protection of human rights and basic freedoms, economic growth and stability, increased inflow of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and trade with EU. Parties focused on the prospects of successful completion of the visa-liberalization process and expressed hopes about the enforcement of the visa-free movement of the citizens of Georgia in the nearest future.
H.E. Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia met with Mr. Johannes Hahn, EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations within the scope of his official visit to Brussels. Host official congratulated the visiting leader with the overwhelming success in the general elections.
Focus was made at the meetings held in Brussels on the importance of the full enforcement of the Association Agreement and Action Plan for the coming years. Attention was paid to the prospects of intensified cooperation within the European neighborhood policy, thereby noting that Georgia maintains its leadership position in the region of Eastern Partnership countries with its successful track record of reforms. Parties stressed the significance of the III Meeting of EU-Georgia Association Council, which is the first high level institutional meeting since the enforcement of the Association Agreement. Hopes were expressed towards turning the Association Agenda for 2017-2020 into a specific road-map of further reforms.
H.E. Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia met with H.E. Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO) within the scope of his official visit to Brussels. Parties discussed the integration process of Georgia to NATO, along with the prospects of cooperation in future. It was noted at the meeting that the current year has been the most dynamic in terms of integration of Georgia to NATO: NATO-Georgia Commission (NGC) meeting has been held; NGC has been held in Warsaw within the NATO summit for the first time in the history of the country's integration to NATO and a Joint Statement has been endorsed at the level of Ministers of Foreign Affairs; North Atlantic Council has visited Tbilisi; Joint NATO-Georgia Exercise has been conducted in the country and tangible progress has been achieved during the year in the context of military cooperation of NATO and Georgia.
Prime Minister of Georgia and Secretary General of NATO spoke about the current security position in the Black Sea region and stressed the importance of NATO engagement in strengthening the security potential of Georgia. While touching upon the current situation in the occupied territories of Georgia, parties noted that Law signed by the President of the Russian Federation towards the Occupation Regime of Sokhumi on November 22, 2016 triggers significant threats towards the peaceful resolution of the conflict and general stability within the region. Prime Minister of Georgia expressed his gratitude to the Secretary General of NATO and the Alliance for the unshaken support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and non-declaration policy. Head of the Government of Georgia once again ascertained the host in the commitment made by the country towards the assumed obligations and notes that - as an aspiring country to NATO - Georgia will continue contributing to the common Euro-Atlantic security. Meeting held at the Headquarters (HQ) of NATO was attended by H.E. Mikheil Janelidze, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia; H.E. Levan Izoria, Minister of Defense of Georgia; H.E. Victor Dolidze, State Minister of Georgia for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.
Prime Minister's Press Office