Germany next to ratify Georgia-EU Association deal

Germany is moving closer to ratifying the Georgia-European Union (EU) Association Agreement (AA).

Today president of the Bundestag (German parliament) Norbert Lammert said Germany would ratify the important Georgia-EU document "in the shortest possible time”.

The German high official is on a four-day official visit to Georgia, where today he met with Georgia’s Foreign Minister Tamar Beruchashvili.

At the meeting Lammert reaffirmed the readiness of the German legislative and executive branches of government to promote Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

He also noted Germany would ratify the Georgian-EU Association deal in the near future.

Meanwhile Beruchashvili, in response, praised the close friendly relations between Georgia and Germany.

"This visit is a clear and firm demonstration of support. The German Bundestag is ready for concrete steps, including the timely ratification of the AA,” she said after the meeting.

"We talked about specific measures to be taken in the Bundestag for supporting Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration. The German side expressed readiness to intensify all tools for political and economic support,” Beruchashvili noted.

The sides also discussed adoption of a resolution supporting Georgia’s European integration.

Lammert emphasised that reforms implemented in Georgia under the AA had the right dynamics and Georgia should continue implementing reforms in a timely manner.

On another note, the Georgian Foreign Minister briefed Lammert about the situation in Georgia’s occupied territories and informed him of the Georgian side’s view of problems relating to regional security.

Beruchashvili stressed the importance of support from the international community and the German side, as the stability of Georgia and the whole EU Eastern neighbourhood still faced serious challenges.

Lammert’s four-day visit to Georgia began yesterday and involved a meeting with President Giorgi Margvelashvili and Parliament Speaker David Usupashvili. His last visit to Georgia was in 2006.

The German Embassy in Tbilisi said Lammert will remain in Georgia on official business until February 15 and while here, he will also meet Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, representatives of civil society and head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia.