Vilnius Summit presents joint declaration – ‘a way ahead’

The EU member and partner countries composed 14 page joint declaration that includes 58 paragraphs
Agenda.ge, 29 Nov 2013 - 00:00, Tbilisi,Georgia

The participants of the two day Vilnius Eastern Partnership Summit, a way of bringing Eastern European partners closer to the EU, agreed on an ambitious agenda for "the way ahead.

In this context, the EU member and partner countries composed 14 page declaration that includes 58 paragraphs stresses the crucial necessity of implementing agreed commitments, in particular on political, economic and social reforms.

The participants of the Vilnius Summit warmly welcome the significant step forward achieved in establishing ambitious, new Association Agreements, including Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (DCFTAs) between the EU and some partner countries.

"Today, following the recent finalisation of the respective negotiations, the EU-Republic of Moldova and EU-Georgia Association Agreements including DCFTAs have been initialled, reads the document.

The document mentions the "very good progress made by Georgia in the process of implementing the first phase of its Visa Liberalisation Action Plan. The EU countries also look forward to further progress in the Visa Liberalisation Dialogues with Eastern partnership countries.

In the part of document entitled - the Next Phase of the Eastern Partnership supports the activities of the European Union Special Representatives (EUSR), emissaries of the European Union with specific tasks abroad, for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia.

The joint declaration creators also stress the need of the full implementation of the 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement and the importance of the presence of the EUMM in Georgia.

"Participants emphasize the need of the full implementation of the mandate of the EUMM and reiterate their support for the Geneva International Discussions, reads the document.

The joint declaration also welcomes:

  • The legislative decision on macro-financial assistance to Georgia has been approved.
  • The 6th meeting of the Civil Society Forum will take place in Georgia.
  • The adoption of the communication and information strategy for 2014-2017 by the Government of Georgia.

According to the document, the macro-financial assistance programmes in Ukraine and Georgia are foreseen to progress in 2014-2015 when the preconditions are met and when the programmes are linked to a meaningful reform agenda.

The declaration stresses the importance of timely ratification of the Common Aviation Area Agreements between the EU and Georgia and Republic of Moldova.