Gov't taking steps for “individual dialogue” with EU member states as part of membership bid - FM

The Georgian Government has already started taking steps for “individual dialogue" with  European Union member states as part of the process of the country's EU membership bid, David Zalkaliani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said on Friday. 

Zalkaliani made the remark after the 61st meeting of the Government Commission for Georgia's Integration into the EU, noting the Georgian Prime Minister had held a call with senior officials of member States. 

The Georgian Minister stressed the “special importance” of today's meeting of the  Commission,  its first sitting since Georgia officially applied for EU membership last month, the Foreign Ministry said. 

"The main issues of today's sitting were the action plan and the steps that the Georgian Government must take to complete this process with an acceptable and tangible result for our country," Zalkaliani added, noting he had also had talks with colleagues from EU member states.

The Foreign  Minister noted he had presented to the Prime Minister and members of the Commission the plan for the steps for the near future, one of the most important of which being the establishment of permanent working groups with the Commission.

• Gov't EU integration commission discusses prospects of Georgia’s EU membership bid

"Working groups, which will be set up with the involvement and participation of all relevant ministries, as well as active cooperation with the Parliament, will  determine our priorities in each of these areas and how the commission should work effectively to implement the [EU] questionnaire,"  Zalkaliani said.

According to the Georgian diplomat, another task of the Commision was to establish close communication between the executive and legislative branches of Georgia over the matter. 

He also noted each state agency “knows very well" the steps required in the near future for  the implementation of the reforms envisaged in the 2014-signed Association Agreement with the EU, adding "this process, of course, will be actively monitored by the Prime Minister as the direct chairman and head of this commission".