EU promises support to Georgia from Russian pressure

The European Union is firmly standing by Georgia in case the country faces added pressure from Russia, the European Commissioner has said.

European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule began his two-day visit to Georgia on March 4 – a day later than scheduled due to the current situation in Ukraine. He was summoned to Brussels to attend a meeting with EU Foreign Ministry representatives.

Since his arrival in Tbilisi earlier today, Fule has already met with Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibahsvili and Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze.

The European Commissioner said: "while the international community looks on with increasing concern at events in Crimea, let us remember that Russia's behaviour here in Georgia is also a matter of serious concern”.

"Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty continues to be challenged by Russia, including by the construction of barriers and military installations which hinder free movement between people who used to enjoy close relations,” he stated.

"We must not lose focus on this while our attention is grabbed by events further west.”

He said Russia must abide by international laws and respect the sovereignty of its neighbour, Georgia.

Georgia’s Prime Minister believed the European Commissioner’s visit to Tbilisi proved the EU’s strong support toward Georgia’s European aspirations.

After today’s meeting, Foreign Minister Panjikidze said the office would work on the text of the Association Agreement (AA) between Georgia and the EU and would be completed by the end of March.

"Georgia as well as the EU expressed readiness to sign the AA as soon as possible. Both sides are intensively working on completing all needed procedures,” Panjikidze said.

Fule claimed the EU already had a unique relationship with Georgia: "and it will be elevated to a new level this year”.

Panjikidze claimed the sides also discussed issues surrounding visa liberalization and other benefits Georgian citizens would receive after signing the Association document.

Meanwhile at the joint press conference following the meeting, Fule said the "tasks and challenges ahead” facing Georgia were not easy.

"We are very well aware of the pressure that was brought on Ukraine because of its willingness to sign the AA. We know that this pressure also exists elsewhere in the Eastern Partnership. The EU will stand firmly by Georgia should it too experience any kind of pressure,” he claimed.

Panjikidze said: "As there is a growing pressure from Russia, we attach much importance to the EU role in promoting peace and stability.”

Within his two-day visit, Fule is expected to hold meetings with the Georgian President, Speaker of Parliament, representatives of the opposition and civil society.

Later today, Fule and Georgian State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Alex Petriashvili are set to sign a memorandum of support for the reform of public finances.

In the meantime, the Commissioner and chairman of the Georgian Parliament David Usupashvili will sign a memorandum of support for the Georgian Parliament.

While in Georgia, Fule is scheduled to meet the Patriarch of Georgia, Ilia II.

"I will assure him, on behalf of the EU, we have no intention to undermine Georgia's traditional values. Because what we promote are the universal values of tolerance, dignity, and respect,” Fule said.