As the Eastern Partnership’s Summit in the capital of Lithuania approaches, Georgia aims to achieve a set of ambitious and concrete results with an important impact on the living standards of its citizens. This was stated by Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze in an interview with IPN published today.
“In the context of the Vilnius Summit, our efforts are focused on concrete deliverables: As mentioned, we aim to initial the Association Agreement, including the DC FTA, and score maximum progress towards finalization of the legislative phase of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan. We also plan to sign the framework Agreement on participation of Georgia in the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy operations, as well as the Protocol on Georgia’s participation in the EU Programmes. The negotiations on Georgia’s full membership in the Energy Community are expected to start soon. These are the main priorities of our European agenda before the Vilnius Summit”, said the Georgian official.
Further, Georgia wishes to launch negotiations on the Association Agenda, which will replace the European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan and aim to facilitate the implementation of the Association Agreement. The Association Agenda will be a set of concrete actions that Georgia will need to take in line with the commitments agreed in the Association Agreement.
“After the Vilnius Summit, as mentioned, we expect to sign the Agreement before the expiration of the term of the current European Commission and start its provisional application in order to timely draw the anticipated benefits. Effective implementation of the DC FTA could prepare the ground for deeper economic integration, aimed towards the establishment of the EU – Eastern Partnership Economic Area. Visa-free travel with the respective Eastern European partners, based on the successful implementation of the Visa Liberalization Action Plans, should be one of the highlights of the post-Vilnius period”, said Maia Panjikidze.
The Georgian foreign minister stated that the EU and the East European Partners share a vital interest in building a common space of stability and security. “The EU plays an important role in Georgia in this regard. The issue of peaceful conflict resolution and the increased role of the EU should get due attention in the context of the Eastern Partnership, as it has vital importance for the majority of the EaP countries”, said Maia Panjikidze in her interview with IPN.
The Georgian foreign minister is visiting Chisinau on the occasion of the 5th Assembly of the Eastern Partnership’s Civil Society Forum.
