Georgian FM emphasises progress on Association Agreement with EU on 10th anniversary

Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Wednesday highlighted progress made in implementing reforms outlined in the Association Agreement signed with the European Union 10 years ago, while also emphasising strengthened ties with the bloc and benefits for the state.

Georgia has successfully implemented the important reforms outlined in the AA. It has brought the country closer to European Union standards, both at the legislative and institutional levels, within the specified timeframes”, he said.

In comments on the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Agreement, Darchiashvili said 55 percent of the obligations of the AA and 65 percent of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area component had been fulfilled.

On June 27, 2014, the signing of the AA elevated Georgia-EU relations to a new level. The Agreement serves as the primary legal framework for cooperation between Georgia and the EU”, Darchiashvili said.

• Georgia signs Association Agreement with the EU

The Minister added the AA outlined a comprehensive plan for the EU’s support of Georgia’s democratic principles, reforms and the development of a “free and competitive” economy.

He said Georgian authorities had worked “actively” to fulfil their obligations under the deal aiming for political association, economic integration and harmonisation with EU standards in “all areas and directions”.

The Minister highlighted “tangible benefits” that the reforms carried out by the Government brought to Georgian citizens, such as the opening of the EU market to Georgian products, visa-free travel for Georgian citizens to EU and Schengen member states and receipt of financial aid.

The EU market, with its 450 million consumers, was opened to products manufactured in Georgia. This has spurred the development of trade and economic relations and boosted the export of Georgian products. Georgian citizens travel to EU and Schengen member states without visa”, Darchiashvili said.

Important reforms have been implemented in democracy and human rights, public administration, public procurement, financial control, education quality improvement, employment promotion, labour rights protection, environmental protection, food safety standards implementation, consumer rights protection and modernisation of the customs and tax system”, he added.

The Minister also mentioned the country had received “millions of euros” in financial assistance for the development of agriculture, production, education, culture, science, innovation and other sectors.

With the signing of the AA, we received a boost in participating in EU framework programmes such as ERASMUS+, Horizon 2020 and Creative Europe and in [enhancing our] cooperation with European agencies like FRONTEX, EUROPOL and EUROJUST”, the official pointed out.

Georgia is ranked sixth in participation in the ERASMUS programme, based on the number of mobilities among 141 partner countries”, he added.

The Minister said the Agreement had facilitated the country’s participation in various EU programmes and agencies, fostering cooperation in fields such as education, culture and investment.

The AA has supported the improvement of the investment climate in Georgia. This is especially noticeable in the case of investing in and manufacturing products within Georgia, as investors are now able to export their products to the EU market without tariffs”, he said.

Darchiashvili also noted Georgia’s candidate status for joining the bloc, granted in December 2023, signified a “new phase” of collaboration and commitment to fulfilling the requirements for EU membership.

By signing the AA, Georgia has achieved a new level of cooperation with the EU. On December 14, 2023, the European Council granted Georgia candidate status, marking the country’s ongoing process of joining the EU”, he said.

The Minister also said the country was “actively” engaged in meeting the prerequisites for commencing negotiations on joining the EU.