European Ministers discuss Georgia’s European future

"We believe that Germany and France will effectively promote Georgia’s full integration into the European space”, said Georgia’s Foreign Minister after meeting with the French and German Foreign Ministers in Tbilisi today.

Georgia’s Maia Panjikidze, French representative Laurent Fabius and Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany held a joint press-conference and spoke about the issues discussed at their meeting.

The Georgian Minister said the special focus of today’s meeting was Georgia’s relationship with the EU. She also noted that she, once again, confirmed the country’s readiness to sign the Association Agreement (AA) in no later than June of this year.

She also noted it was a great honour for Georgia to host the Foreign Ministers of Germany and France.

"We are honoured to host the French and German Foreign Ministers [and] in the pre-period of Georgia’s signing the AA, this visit has a specific meaning,” she said.

"We consider this joint visit as a clear demonstration of solidarity and support towards Georgia’s European choice. Germany and France made a step towards implementing a project to unite and ensure a peaceful Europe. This project has not been completed yet [but] we think Germany and France will continue fulfilling this historic mission and will effectively promote Georgia’s full integration into the European space,” Panjikidze said.

The French Minister stressed the importance for Georgia to sign the AA and said it would be an important tool to help "modernize” the country.

"The purpose of this visit is very simple. We want to once again express our support towards Georgia and especially in this moment. Georgia has already initialed the AA in November of the previous year and in several weeks [the AA] will already be signed. This is already planned for June,” Fabius said.

"We believe this agreement is positive for every side. In our conversation we had the opportunity to underline the excellent progress that Georgia has achieved in this sphere and appreciate the efforts Georgia has incurred in implementing reforms,” he said.

"After the AA is signed, it will be a very strong tool for the modernization of this country and for increasing the attractiveness of Georgia. It is an issue of financial assistance and technical assistance that the ongoing reforms are implemented well,” he added.

The German representative said many things had changed in Georgia in recent years and praised the country’s progress. He said the country’s European path would be made official once the AA was signed.

He also called this visit "historic”.

"We are in Georgia by a joint visit for the first time. It’s a pleasure to use this opportunity and express our support towards Georgia,” Steinmeier said.

"I was here years ago, it was a very difficult period, but I remember it nicely. A lot has changed in the country, not only in terms of the interior, but also in political terms. The political spectrum has been renewed, corruption has been defeated, and more.

"This is the path which will be made official by signing the AA this summer. There is no doubt and I am confident that in June the AA will be definitely signed,” he said.

Steinmeier then answered a question on how the EU would convince Russia that moving closer to Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine was not a threat to them.

He answered that by signing the AA, all countries, including Russia, would benefit.

"I think that I tried to accurately answer this question. The AA is not directed against anyone and I clearly stated my opinion with my Russian colleagues. The economic relations Georgia has with the EU, and by deepening them, does not in any way put doubt the economic relations that exist between Russia and Georgia. I think in Russia they are also well aware of this,” the Minister said.

During their meeting at Georgia’s Foreign Ministry, the officials also spoke about the prospects of Georgia’s integration to NATO.

Georgia’s Foreign Minister said the French and German representatives were aware of Georgia’s contribution to Euro-Atlantic security.

"We strongly believe that Georgia will clearly show the progress that is required from NATO aspirant countries. Correspondingly, we expect that our progress will be properly appreciated at the next NATO Summit in Wales,” Panjikidze said.

Steinmeier of Germany noted that Georgia and NATO were "approaching each other”.

"As for NATO and its expansion, you should understand and consider that questions about NATO’s expansion should be discussed by the member countries. Georgia and NATO are approaching each other. NATO will definitely find a tool in order to clearly express our opinion,” he said.

The German and French Foreign Ministers arrived in Georgia last night. Fabius and Steinmeier met with Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili this morning.

The President’s Administration announced Margvelashvili discussed Georgia’s integration with the EU and NATO, signing of the AA and further details of the AA Action Plan.

The sides also discussed the issue of regional security and spoke about the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the Russian influence in the region.

The trio also discussed ways to deepen the level of cooperation between Georgia, France and Germany.