Georgians associate European integration processes with higher living standards, a safer environment, better social protection, and this is why it is an irreversible choice. This was stated by Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze in an interview with IPN published today.
“According to the autumn 2012 polls by the EU Neighborhood Barometer, 71 % of the Georgian population trusts the EU, which is the highest figure for the Eastern Dimension of the ENP, and the 82 % describe the EU-Georgia relations as very good, again the higher than elsewhere in the East Dimension of the ENP. Thus, the European Integration is a natural path of our country’s development, determined by the choice of the Georgian people and backed by all major political forces. Our common future with the EU will rest upon the shared values and principles, such as democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. In this context, we attach particular importance to the process itself as the reforms implemented according to the ambitious European integration agenda are key for the genuine transformation and Europeanization of our country”, said the Georgian official.
Maia Panjikidze stated that the effective implementation of the Association Agreement will ensure the irreversibility of this process. “The political association with the EU will give us the opportunity to enhance the dialogue with the EU in almost all directions, like the Common Foreign and Security Policy; Justice, Freedom and Security; sectorial fields like environment protection, energy, transport, education, consumer protection, taxation, agriculture, employment and social policy, etc. It means higher standards in all these fields, which will be translated into a safer environment, higher social protection, and better living conditions for our citizens”.
“Another important dimension is the possibility of the visa free travel, in a secure and well-managed environment, following the effective implementation of the Visa liberalization Action Plan. It will be crucial for enhancing people-to-people contacts and will give the possibility for an increasing number of Georgian citizens to directly experience the European way of life. The mobility of citizens will contribute to strengthening contacts between students, as well as scientific and business circles”, 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, taking place in the Moldovan capital on November 4 and 5.
