Economy Minister: ‘The political pressure may increase from Russia’

Georgia tries to find balanced relations with Russia, Economy Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili responded to the question from the facilitator of the EaP Business Forum at the Vilnius Summit on how Georgia will balance a relationship between Russia and EU while Georgia aspires to integrate in EU family.

But Kvirikashvili did not exclude that after Georgia initials the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with EU, "Russia will increase the political pressure.

"It would be very bad if Russia will again close the market for Georgian products. Georgia has many times witnessed political and economic pressure from Russia. I hope this will not happen anymore but even if it happens, our market is already quite diversified and embargo is going to have no significant reflection on our economy, he noted at the Business Forum entitled - Business without Borders.

"The economic relations between Georgia and Russia have been deteriorated since 2006 when the officials in Moscow imposed the embargo on Georgian products. In 2008, the conflict was followed by the Russia-Georgia August War, Kvirikashvili stressed.

At the session, the Minister also discussed political and economic benefits of the DCFTA between the European Union for Georgia, which in turn, is an integral part of the Georgias Association Agreement with the EU.

Kvirikashvili underlined the importance of cooperation with the EU in terms of investment attraction. Kvirikashvili highlighted the policy and measures implemented or planned by the new government in order to further improve of Georgias investment and business environment.

The forum was opened by the Prime Minister of Lithuania. Participants were addressed by the European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule. The forum will last until 18:00 EET.

Besides the forum, Kvirikashvili is going take part in all the events scheduled within the framework of the Vilnius Summit which will take place under the leadership of the President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili.