Georgian, Ukrainian, Moldovan PMs meet in Brussels, first ever visit of Associated Trio
Georgian (R), Ukrainian and Moldovan PMs (L) met in Brussels earlier today. Photo: government of Georgia press office. Government of Georgia press office.
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Georgian, Ukrainian and Moldovan PMs held a meeting in Brussels earlier today, prior to meeting with top EU officials in the coming hours, ahead of the December 15 summit of the EU’s Eastern Partnership (EaP) initiative.
It is the first visit of the Associated Trio to Brussels, a joint initiative of Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova launched in May 2021 to strengthen cooperation towards common European goals and EU membership.
Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili discussed expectations for the EaP summit with Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal and Moldovan PM Natalia Gavrilița.
Today we are starting first ever visit of the #AssociatedTrio for the meetings w/ ????????'s @vonderleyen, @CharlesMichel, @EP_President. United by European aspirations, and shared values, committed Partners to EaP to advance political, economic and sectorial integration with the EU. pic.twitter.com/8SF3Q9vxZ1
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) November 30, 2021
The EU’s Eastern Partnership initiative was created in 2009 and unites six Eastern European countries – Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine – in support of democracy, prosperity and stability in the region.
Georgia is a frontrunner of the initiative and says that it has already availed itself of all the opportunities offered by it.
Garibashvili stated earlier today that it is important that the final declaration of the EaP summit reflect Georgia’s European outlook and aspirations, as well as ‘firm support’ for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It is also important for the EU and the members of the Associated Trio to strengthen cooperation in the fields of transport and communication,” the Government of Georgia press office cited Garibashvili as saying.
The PMs stated that their countries need access to the EU’s common economic space and to ‘ensure physical integration of the countries into the European Union.’
The PMs are scheduled to meet with European Council President Charles Michel, EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen, and President of European Parliament David-Maria Sassoli later today.
Georgia has plans to apply for EU membership by 2024.