EU Georgia Business Council focused on country’s foreign policy

Promoting the positive aspects of Georgia's intended plans to join the EU ahead of the signing of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement (AA) was the main topic discussed at the EU Georgia Business Council meeting.

The gathering was attended by the State Minister of Georgia on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Alexi Petriashvili and more than 40 representatives of local and international business companies.

Petriashvili focused on the dynamic of Georgia’s integration in NATO and European Union as well as regulations Georgia must implement before the AA is signed with the EU. Local officials hope this will happen by August this year.

Revealing the European and Euro Atlantic integration agenda to the meeting participants, Petriashvili stressed that businesses were the core players of the intended integration.

"There is a need to coordinate among businesses, civil society and media in order to inform the society about the benefits of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement. Furthermore, the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU will further enable business development,” Petriashvili said.

"The main goal of Georgia’s foreign policy is to become a member of the European family,” he said.

The EU-Georgia Business Council (EU-GBC), founded by Georgian and European companies in Brussels, aimed to assist and advise its members on all questions relating to setting up and doing business in Georgia and the EU, building business links, solving market access difficulties and overcoming regulatory obstacles.

Petriahsvili believed the meetings with EU-GBC members will become regular.

EU-GBC permanently provides its members with information on investment related regulations and performs a liaison role with the Government of Georgia and EU institutions.