Georgia and Moldova ready to deepen bilateral relations

Speaker of Georgian Parliament Davit Usupashvhili has ended his visit to Moldova by meeting the country's Prime Minister Yurie Leanca and discussing his readiness to deepen bilateral economic and diplomatic relations.  

Usupashvili said Moldova was a country that was often named alongside Georgia, as both countries were going through a similar experience as they both worked towards becoming more integrated with Europe. the Eastern Partnership in Vilnius which set the same way for the two countries.

"Both countries are anticipating signing the Association Agreement with the EU in June and this has significantly intensified contact [between Georgia and Moldova]. We found it necessary for a Parliamentary delegation to embark on an official visit to Moldova," Usupashvili stated. 

He said cooperation between Moldova and Georgia was intensifying within all levels of the Government of the two countries, and said this was a necessary precondition so both countries were successful in the EU integration attempts. 

"A historical thing happened yesterday - citizens and governmental members of Moldova travelled to Greece on one plane without a visa as a result of the visa free travel agreement between the EU and Moldova," Usupashvili added.

Before meeting the PM of Moldova, Georgia's Parliament Speaker met with the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Natalia Gherman. The Association Agreement with the EU and technical details of its implementation were discussed at the meeting. 

As Gherman pointed out, signing the agreement would not have an immediate effect but by gradually introducing it, the country would feel the benefits that were outlined in the document. She has also stressed that it was important for people to recognise that many privileges the country would receive after signing the agreement were clearly explained.  

Usupashvili congratulated the Foreign Affairs Ministry on successfully completing the visa liberalization process and underlined that Georgia was expected to reach the same goal in the next 18 months.