Malta Foreign Minister visits Georgia

A representative of a small country off the south-coast of Italy is in Georgia to remind the nation of the European Union’s (EU) support.

The Foreign Minister of Malta, George Vella, said the EU spared no efforts to ensure the ongoing Ukrainian crisis did not have any negative impact on Georgia.

"There is a need to pay much attention to the situation in Ukraine [so] the crisis does not have a negative impact on Georgia and Moldova, as these countries are expected to sign the Association Agreement with the EU,” Vella said today at a conference after the meeting Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze.

Vella, who is on an official visit to Tbilisi, believed the EU’s efforts towards Georgia’s integration to the EU was to support the county in paving the way to the Union and further strengthening cooperation with EU member countries.

"Malta, as a member of the EU and me as an official from that country, was committed to arrive in Georgia to highlight that Malta is backing this country as it moves to EU integration. We will also continue supporting Georgia after signing of the Association Agreement,” Vella said.

He believed it was important for Georgia to implement a free trade agreement with the EU before future steps could be taken.

The Georgia-EU free trade agreement is expected to be implemented immediately once the parties sign the Association Agreements, including Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (AA/DCFTAs) this June.

Today Vella also met Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who praised Malta’s role in supporting Georgia to become a full member of the EU.

The PM also invited Malta businessmen to spend time in Tbilisi to get acquainted with Georgia’s investment environment.

Meanwhile, Garibashvili believed Malta was a European leader in the maritime sector and believed it would be invaluable if the country shared its knowledge in this sector with Georgia.