European Parliament on Georgia-EU association deal: Georgia is on good reform track
Moldova is backsliding on democratic standards and rule of law, while Georgia is on a good reform track, said Foreign affairs MEPs on Tuesday. Photo: N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Lawmakers of the European Parliament (EP) have stated that Georgia is on a good reform track.
MEPs made the statement yesterday when the EP Foreign Affairs Committee took stock of the implementation of the EU association agreements with Moldova and Georgia, which entered into force two years ago.
MEPs on the foreign affairs committee welcome Georgia’s sustained reform track, which makes it a key EU partner in the region. They note that the EU is now Georgia’s largest trade partner and the largest source of foreign direct investment,” EP statement reads.
MEPs called on the Georgian authorities to continue ensuring stability, further democratic reforms and economic and social improvements for Georgians.
They stated that high-level corruption, full independence of the judiciary and the depoliticisation of media content remain key areas of concern.
The resolution adopted by the MEPs regarding the implementation of the Georgia-EU Association deal yesterday also recalled with regret that after ten years, Russia still continues its illegal occupation of Georgian territories.
MEPs reiterate their unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and emphasised the importance of proactive communication to Georgian citizens about the tangible benefits and goals of the Eastern Partnership,” the statement reads.
Lead MEP on Georgia Andrejs Mamikins stated that Georgia “has a clear aspiration” to become a part of the European family.
The implementation of the Association Agreement including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area is going well. We also witness positive dynamics in the visa-free regime and the EU-Georgia security dialogue amongst others,” he said.
The resolution on Georgia was approved by 43 votes to seven, with one abstention. The full House is to vote on them at the November 2nd plenary session in Brussels.
Moldova and Georgia signed association agreements with the European Union on 27 June 2014 boosting their economic and political ties.
They entered into force on 1 July 2016.
Today is one of the most important days for Georgia on its European Union (EU) integration path as the country’s Association Agreement (AA) with the EU is fully and officially coming into force.
The main angel in Lithuania’s capital Vilnius is wearing Georgian scarf to mark the full force of Georgia’s Association Agreement (AA) with the European Union (EU).
Last night the EU Foreign Affairs Council announced its decision to end the procedures needed for ratification of the EU-Georgia AA deal. The Council said the Agreement would come into force on the first day of July 2016.
This afternoon Usupashvili announced Belgium – the final EU state to sign the Georgia-EU deal – had penned the agreement this morning. Through this step, the Georgia-EU AA ratification process was completed.
Member of the European Parliament Clare Moody has stated that Georgia is a star of the region for its commitment to European values. Moody made the statement yesterday at the European Parliament’s plenary session, during the discussion and debates of the report drafted by MEP Andrejs Mamikins regarding the implementation process of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze has thanked MEPs for their positive assessments of the steps the Georgian government has taken so far to successfully implement the EU-Georgia Association Agreement deal.
The European Parliament has adopted the resolution on Georgia in the wake of the discussion regarding the implementation process of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement on Tuesday. The resolution was approved today by 528 votes to 97, with 34 abstentions.