Portugal National Assembly ratifies EU-Georgia deal

Members of the Portugal National Assembly voted today in favour of the ratification of the Association Agreement (AA) made between Georgia and the European Union (EU).

The leading parties of the Portuguese Parliament (People's Democratic Party and Socialist Party) voted in favour of the ratification of the EU-Georgia deal and the document was approved by the majority of votes.

The coalition of the Communist Party and "The Greens” voted against ratification of the document, while the Left Block (Bloco de Esquerda) abstained from the vote.

The Portuguese Parliament consists of a single Chamber known as the Assembly of the Republic.

The document will come into force after being signed by the President of Portugal Aniba Cavaco Silva.

Portugal is Georgia’s supporting and friendly country. In the past month Portugal made several supporting statements including condemnation of so-called agreements between Russia and Georgia’s occupied territories. Portugal supports Georgia’s European path and its Euro-Atlantic aspirations”, said the Ambassador of Georgia to the Portuguese Republic Giorgi Gorgiladze in a press statement released by Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.

Today the United Kingdom (UK) also completed the ratification process, with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Philip Hammond signing the ratification document.

Ratification of the EU-Georgia deal is ahead for 10 more EU member states.

The AA deal was signed by Georgia and the EU on June 27, 2014 in Brussels.

Georgia has already ratified the agreement. The ratification process is currently continuing in EU member states.

European Parliament approved the EU-Georgia deal on December 18, 2014.

EU Association deals must be ratified by all 28 EU member countries before they can be fully implemented.