EU and Georgia plan to sign agreements in June 2014

The European Union Foreign Ministers once again reiterated that they look forward to the early signature of the Association Agreements with Georgia and Republic of Moldova.

“The European Union reaffirms its support for political association and economic integration with Georgia and the Republic of Moldova and looks forward to early signature of the Association Agreements, including Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas no later than June 2014,” says the summary of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, which took place in Luxemburg, on April 14th.

The Foreign Ministers said they are confident that the further deepening of EU-Georgia and EU-Republic of Moldova relations will have a positive impact on the stability and socioeconomic development, for the benefit of all the citizens of the two countries. The EU encourages Georgia and the Republic of Moldova to continue implementing reforms as part of their commitment to further strengthen the political association and economic integration with the EU.

Before the Association Agreement is signed, the EU is trying to make sure Georgia has the correct information about the agreement and the country’s prospects within the EU.

EU representatives to Tbilisi issued a fact-sheet, a ten-page document to describe the benefits of the Association and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) agreements. In the case the appropriate background is created, the EU is also ready to consider spreading the DCFTA through the break-away regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

In order to promote the DCFTA and further economic relations with Georgia and Moldova, investment conferences will be held on the occasion of the visits of European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in these countries on June 12-13th.

The conferences will focus on business activity and investment in Moldova and Georgia, because experience in other countries in Europe shows that that's where the new agreements will bring the biggest long-term economic benefits. The delegates will also discuss the benefits of the AA/DCFTA for developing businesses sectors in Georgia and Moldova.

The conferences will also provide opportunities for businesses to showcase themselves and to promote their products and services. International financial institutions and business support organizations will also provide participants with information about their activities in Moldova and Georgia.

According to EU officials, the organization aims to sign the AA and DCFTA with both countries no later than June 2014.