Georgian FM stresses importance of Eastern Partnership at ministerial meeting

Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Monday stressed the importance of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership in the process of political and economic rapprochement of the partner countries with the bloc.

In his remarks at the meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, Darchiashvili highlighted the significance of the EaP in the process that facilitated taking into account the partner countries’ “individual interests and readiness”.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry said the ministers involved in the meeting had reviewed challenges in the Eastern Partnership region, as well as the existing cooperation between EU member countries and EaP states and opportunities for the future development of ties between them.

EU officials “once again” expressed their support for the European integration of Georgia at the ministerial, and also expressed readiness to continue helping the country in the process of implementing reforms in the process, while “positively” evaluating efforts made by its Government, including through the “successful” process of the implementation of the 2014-signed Association Agreement between the EU and the country.

The economic and investment plan developed within the EaP format and the economic and political importance of Georgia's flagship projects - which the ministerial said would bring “tangible benefits” to the country's citizens and “practically” prepare the country for EU membership - was also highlighted.

The meeting also noted the importance of “fully utilising” the potential of the Black Sea in the development of infrastructure connecting the European Union and Georgia, and plans for related projects.