Georgian PM, MEPs discuss European Council’s “historic” decision to grant country European perspective, future cooperation
Georgia’s continued implementation of the obligations defined by the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area deal with the EU - signed in 2014 - was noted at the meeting, along with the new Association Agenda between the sides. The MEPs noted Georgia remained a “reliable partner” and a “loyal contributor” to EU operations. Photo: Government Administration.
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday welcomed a delegation of the European Parliament on a visit to the country to discuss the European Council's “historic” decision on granting the country the European perspective and review prospects of deepening cooperation.
Garibashvili highlighted the importance of the visit of the MEPs - led by David McAllister - in the process of Georgia’s European Union integration path, and in the context of the situation in the Black Sea region in the wake of the war in Ukraine, the Government Administration said.
Photo: Government Administration.
The PM noted it was a “pity” that the European Council had used a “differentiated approach” towards Georgia in comparison to fellow EU membership aspirant countries of Moldova and Ukraine, by deciding not to grant the former the membership candidate status outright in June.
He told the visiting MEPs the Georgian Government had already begun work on the implementation of the conditions outlined by the EU to the country for membership, and stressed the importance of “all relevant stakeholders” to share a “common responsibility” and work on the implementation process. Garibashvili also noted creating an “inclusive process” for the task had been one of the priorities defined by the European Commission for Georgia.
Georgia’s continued implementation of the obligations defined by the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area deal with the EU - signed in 2014 - was noted at the meeting, along with the new Association Agenda between the sides. The MEPs noted Georgia remained a “reliable partner” and a “loyal contributor” to EU operations.
Photo: Government Administration.
The meeting also focused on the “difficult situation” in humanitarian and human rights areas in Georgia’s Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), with the visiting members of delegation reaffirming the European Parliament's support for the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
Garibashvili also emphasised the importance of an “effective use” of the international negotiations in Geneva between Georgian officials and de facto authorities in the occupied regions, and reaffirmed the commitment of his Government to the peaceful resolution of the conflict.