PM and EU Commissioner sign finance agreement
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Thursday, October 1
Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia is paying an official visit to Brussels, meeting top EU officials. On September 20th, together with the European Commissioner Oliver Varheim, PM signed two financial agreements with a total budget of Euro 129 million, aimed at improving the socio-economic situation in Georgia following the spread of the coronavirus. The meeting focused on the challenges posed by the COVID-19 global pandemic and stressed the importance of EU assistance to Georgia.
Gakharia said that the signing of the "Sustainability Contract" and "Integrated Territorial Development" documents during the visit is another confirmation of the special partnership between Tbilisi and Brussels.
The European Commissioner emphasized the need to strengthen transport and communication links, economic recovery and development, whilst PM stressed the importance of developing physical transport and communication links with the EU not only politically and economically, but also in terms of security, noting that the majority of the Georgian population supports Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
The meeting also touched upon the importance of implementing new initiatives within the Eastern Partnership and concentrating more on bilateral relations with associated partners. It was noted that Georgia is a leader in the Eastern Partnership.
Gakharia also met with the Vice-President of the European Commission, Margarita Skhinas. The conversation focused on the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic and the significant financial support provided by the European Union to Georgia in this process.
It was noted that the European Union is a strategic partner of Georgia and the vast majority of Georgian citizens support the country's European integration. Georgia was named as a leader in the region in terms of democratic development and reforms, and the recent reform of the electoral system, which involves a transition to a more proportionate system, has brought the country to a new level of democratic development.
The VP of the European Commission praised the reforms implemented in Georgia. Talks focused on the opportunities provided by the Georgian Association Agreement, the Free Trade Agreement, and visa liberalization.
It was noted that Georgia has more ambitions, more integration is needed and the full use of the Black Sea region is used as much as possible.
“Closer cooperation with Georgia is valuable for the EU, which should become even closer and it will be so,” said the VP in her tweet.
All key issues on the Georgia-EU agenda, including the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, practical tools for establishing transport and communication links, and the role of the Black Sea in this context were discussed by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Gakharia, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Security, EU High Representative for Policy Affairs, Vice-President of the European Commission, Joseph Borrell, at a meeting held today at the European Commission.
The role of the European Union in the format of the Geneva talks was emphasized and the importance of the EU taking even clearer positions and sharp assessments of the ongoing process in the occupied territories, which will give a new, additional impetus to the format of the Geneva talks. The conversation also touched upon Georgia's peace initiative - “A step towards a better future.”
The parties discussed preparations for the forthcoming EaP Summit, which will be held in March and where concrete visions will be presented as member states see the Eastern Partnership after 2020. The PM noted that the Georgian side's approach envisages the development of additional mechanisms, including a differentiated approach to Georgia, which is a leader among the EaP countries and deserves a more specific tool, including access to the single market and strengthening the EU-region link.
The PM held a meeting with the European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ulva Johansson. Georgia's successful steps towards the implementation of the visa liberalization regime were especially noted, in particular, the new law adopted by the Parliament of Georgia, which regulates the procedures for leaving the country, was positively assessed. Cooperation between Georgian and EU institutions, such as EUROPOL and Frontex, was positively assessed, which became the basis for successful legislative initiatives implemented by the Parliament of Georgia.
Talks focused on areas of cooperation such as circular migration and legal employment of Georgian citizens in EU countries. The expansion of the network of police attaches in European capitals by Georgia was positively assessed and it was noted that this is a good basis for cooperation between the EU and Georgian law enforcement agencies.
The conversation also touched upon the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 31st in Georgia. The European Commissioner positively assessed the implemented constitutional reform, the progress made by Georgia on the path of European integration, and reaffirmed its strong support for Georgia on this path.
During his visit, Gakharia addressed the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth Maria Gabriel with an initiative to equalize the tuition fees of Georgian students in Europe with those of students from EU member states. The parties discussed the possibilities of expanding cooperation in the field of students, science, and innovation, as well as the prospect of Kutaisi University joining the EU Universities Infrastructure.
At the meeting with the President of the European Council Charles Michel PM noted that Georgia has set three main priorities on the path to EU integration - democratic development and institutional strengthening, strengthening Georgia's strategic role in the wider Black Sea region, and improving transport and communication links.
The Prime Minister noted that Georgia is an integral part of European security and is ready to contribute more in this direction. The EU-Georgia High-Level Strategic Security Dialogue was highlighted as an important component of bilateral security cooperation. The sides paid attention to the situation in the region and the challenges in the occupied territories of Georgia.
The President of the European Council reaffirmed the EU's strong support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as for its policy of non-recognition of the occupied territories.
The conversation also touched on upcoming elections and cybersecurity, which is a significant challenge facing modern states.
Gakharia also met with the President of the European Parliament David Maria Sasoli.
During his visit, the PM also released a statement on another military confrontation between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He once again called on the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and international actors to make the most of their opportunities to stop the escalation and resume dialogue.
“As you know, our country has good neighborly relations with both countries - Azerbaijan and Armenia...Our common interest is to establish peace in the region as soon as possible. "Georgia is ready to support this process in any way possible, including hosting a meeting of representatives of the conflicting parties in Tbilisi for a dialogue,” announced Gakharia.
