European leaders congratulate Georgia on its “great day” (VIDEOS)

European leaders are congratulating Georgia on its "historic day” of signing the Association Agreement (AA) with the European Union (EU).

A number of Presidents and Ministers of European countries released welcoming video addresses or posted greeting messages on Twitter before today’s signing ceremony.

"The Association Agreement is your way to more freedom, democracy and European welfare,” Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskate told the people of Georgia in her video address.

"It is a great day for Europe because Georgian people are those who trust in the European way of life,” she said, adding Lithuania and all EU countries were glad to share "the best they had” with Georgia.

Grybauskate said the same in Georgian language too.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt also congratulated Georgia on its signature of the AA.

"And I look forward to visiting Chisinau, Tbilisi and Kiev in the next few days to discuss the road ahead. Challenges - and possibilities,” he wrote.

Today, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine will all sign the AA agreements with the EU in Brussels.

"Big day for Eastern Partnership today. Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova will sign Association Agreements with EU. Welcome from Poland,” Polish Foreign Minister Radislaw Sikorski tweeted last night.

Another Baltic country congratulated Georgia on its big day. Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves wrote on Twitter:

"I salute Ukraine, Georgia & Moldova on this historic day, signing the European Association Agreement. We have made a common European choice.”

Estonian President released a video address too.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen also issued a statement following the signature of the EU Association Agreements by Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine

"I welcome the signature of Association Agreements between the EU and Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. The Association Agreements, and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, will significantly deepen the political and economic ties between the EU and its three Eastern partners,” he said.

Rasmussen believed the documents contributed to the consolidation of freedom, stability and prosperity in Europe. They would allow close cooperation on strengthening the rule of law, advancing judicial reforms, fighting corruption, ensuring respect for fundamental rights and freedoms and strengthening democratic institutions. 

"These are goals that NATO shares and supports through its own partnership with these countries and other partners,” he said. 

Once the Agreement is signed today, Georgian Parliament and all EU member states need to ratify it before it is fully implemented.