“Georgia needs stronger economy for Euro-integration”, says Parliament Speaker Usupashvili

Ways Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine can strengthen their economies is being discussed at a trilateral parliamentary forum in Tbilisi today.

Representatives of each country’s parliaments are in town for the two-day Georgia-Moldova-Ukraine inter-parliamentary forum.

Today Georgia’s Parliament Speaker David Usupashvili spoke at the event and said it was "principally impossible” to be a "European family member” with "our current economic indicator”.

However, he said the Association Agreement with the European Union (EU) was an "important chance” for Georgia to improve its economy and democratic institutions.

Usupashvili also noted during Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine’s Euro-integration process, the three countries should not only concentrate on security issues.

"Maybe that’s exactly what our main opponent wants; that we only focus on these issues and we will not be able to develop our economies, democratic institutions or level of living,” the Georgian Parliament Speaker said.

He added this was why the EU-Association Agreements had "great importance” to Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, EU Ambassador to Georgia Janos Herman said 2015 was the year for not only talking about values and responsibilities, but for taking action. He said the EU’s position, as a global actor, needed to be strengthened.

"Today is the moment when we should concentrate on what can be done in order to handle the pressure and reestablish stability in Eastern Europe,” Herman said.

The Georgia-Moldova-Ukraine inter-parliamentary forum will end tomorrow.