Georgian PM discusses European integration with EU Political and Security Committee

Georgia’s integration into the European Union and the progress achieved by the country in this regard were discussed on Wednesday by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze with the delegation of the Political and Security Committee of the Council of the EU.

The sides highlighted the “historic decision” of the European Council to grant the EU membership candidate status to Georgia last year, which took the relations to “a completely new, strategic level”, the Government Administration said.

Georgia’s goal to further progress on the path of joining the bloc was also emphasised at the meeting, where the Head of the Government stressed the importance of EU member states’ support in this respect, and affirmed that joining the bloc remained one of the main priorities of his Government’s foreign policy.

The conversation touched on the cooperation between Georgia and the EU in the fields of economic integration and security, including the implementation of reforms within the scope of the Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area deal, signed with the EU in 2014. The officials also pointed out that Georgia “remains a reliable partner” of the bloc in the region.

The current situation in the Black Sea region was also reviewed by the parties while focusing on the difficult situation in Georgia's occupied regions.

The Georgian PM thanked the members of the EU PSC delegation for supporting the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and stressed the Georgian Government’s commitment to the policy of peaceful conflict resolution.

The sides emphasised the importance of the institution of the EU Special Representative and the EU Monitoring Mission in the crises of the South Caucasus and Georgia.