On December 12, 2011, the Prime Minister of Georgia paid a working visit to Brussels.
Within the framework of the visit, negotiations on free trade were started between Georgia and the European Union.
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Nika Gialuri, met with the European Commissar on trade issues, Karel de Gukht, The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the EU Chairman country, Poland, and the Prime Minister of Moldova, Vladimir Filat.
"This is the beginning of agreement on free trade with the European Union, which is the most important step forward for economy of the country. This means that more and more new jobs will be created in Georgia.
From the next year, Turkish, Chinese, Armenian and any other non European companies will start construction of new enterprises, in order to trade more easily to Europe through Georgia. Consequently, this will create thousands of new jobs in Georgia.
... During the last three years, Russian party has tried to isolate Georgia. This day has proved that there attempt has been an absolute failure. Today, Georgia is nearer to Europe than it has ever been.
This day proves that Georgia becomes a full member of Europe, actually, of the European Union, as free trade means economic integration of Georgia and the European Union. Under the background, when Russia tries to isolate Georgia from Europe, the European Union, on the contrary, declares that Georgia and the EU will sign joint free trade agreement, integration of their economies.
On the background when political condition in Russia deserves criticism of the whole world, the statement is made that Georgia will become a country having free trade with the European Union.
This is an expression of support form Brussels and the European Union, that gives additional comfort to investors and a greater number of investors will arrive to Georgia from the European Union, as well as from other countries.
This means that produce brought to Europe from Georgia will be more competitive than produce brought to Europe from other countries that finally will be expressed in making more investments in Georgia, growing of production in Georgia and exporting more products from Georgia to the European Union," declared the Prime Minister of Georgia after the meetings held in Brussels.
Prime Minister's Press Service