Georgian FM to EP: “Proud to represent one of strongest EU enthusiast countries”

Georgia’s Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze began his today’s speech at the Committee of Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament (EP) by saying that he was proud to represent one of the strongest EU enthusiast countries.

Around 80 percent of the entire population of Georgia supports EU integration. This unique confidence in Europe and in the country’s European vocation has been unfaltering throughout the last two decades,” Janelidze stated.

1/2 #Georgia remains 1 of the strongest allies of the #EU in the region and a key security partner #AFET Committee pic.twitter.com/ChguUn8oy4

— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) 19 October 2017

The minister stated that over the last three years, the Georgian Dream government has finalized the realization of most of the ambitions Eastern Partnership (EaP) policy.

We signed the Association Agreement with the EU, with the most comprehensive and deep Free Trade Area, successfully completed visa liberalization, joined the Energy Community, etc”, Janelidze said.

The minister emphasized that European integration is not simply a foreign policy goal for Georgia, "it is also our domestic policy priority.”

Integration process is making genuinely positive difference 2 #Georgian state in political,economic&social fields - @JanelidzeMkh#AFET mtg pic.twitter.com/b6qfTa6zgA

— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) 19 October 2017

I want to particularly highlight that Georgia remains one of the strongest allies of the EU in the region and a key security partner, confirmed by the EU Global Foreign and Security Strategy.

We are developing strong cooperation in the fields of fight against terrorism, radicalization, organized crime, hybrid and cyber threats, anti-trafficking and anti-money laundering, and continue engagement in the EU crisis management operations and contribute to stability in Europe, as well as elsewhere in the world,” Janelidze said.

Janelidze stated that "Georgia is ready to do even more than the Association Agreement requires from us”, because the country was doing it for its future in the European Union and not just because of ticking the boxes.

#GEO has finalized realization of most of the ambitions framed out by EaP architects: AA/DCFTA, VisaLib, joining Energy Community,etc. #AFETpic.twitter.com/HyFATUZOBV

— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) 19 October 2017

The minister underscored that the Georgian government had a concrete vision how to achieve maximum integration with the EU with 6 major directions.

The directions include:

1. Maximum approximation of Georgia’s legislation and institutional practices with those of the EU through the Association Agenda and beyond.
2. Integration with the specialized agencies of the EU to enable Georgian agencies to strengthen their institutional capacity by sharing know-how from their European colleagues and thus reach high interoperability at the earlier stage.
3. Enhancing the efficiency of Georgia’s participation in the EU programs to deliver more practical and visible benefits to the citizens from the EU integration process, to become incorporated in economic, cultural, scientific and educational fields with European partners.
4. Enhancing regular dialogue between the European and Georgian counterpart structures on sectoral policy formulation and implementation, that will create new opportunities for Georgia’s sectoral development in accordance with the European policies.
5. ​Deepening of dialogue in defence and security fields that will enable the highest possible coordination with European Security and Defence structures of the EU.
6. Deeper physical integration with the EU internal market, which implies integration in areas such as transport, energy and communications.

Janelidze began his meetings in Brussels yesterday.