Georgia decisive on European integration
By Mushvig Mehdiyev
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili addressed the World Economic Forum in Istanbul on September 29.
Margvelashvili in his speech emphasized the importance of signing an Association Agreement with the European Union.
"We have singed an Association Agreement with the European Union, which means that we have a chance to get closer with Europe both, politically and economically," Margvelashvili said.
That's a historical agreement signed by Georgia and a new step towards the European integration, he added.
Georgia and the European Union have signed an agreement on association in Brussels on June 27, 2014. Most of the coordinated issued, as well as, the agreement on the expanded and comprehensive free trade zone have came into from September 1.
He noted that proximity with the European Union will facilitate to strengthen Georgia's democratic institutions and economic progress.
"The world's biggest European market gives us an opportunity to improve our economy. Of course, there are some challenges, but we are ready to overcome all obstacles in the way to Europe," Margvelashvili added.
Margvelashvili met with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev. He also had talks with the head of World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab in Istanbul.
He discussed the prospects of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Turkey and Georgia with Erdogan. Margvelashvili said the two countries are reliable and strategic partners in the region.
"The Turkish president reiterated his full support to Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Erdogan noted that Turkey continues to back Georgia's integration into NATO," Margvelashvili said.
Georgia and Turkey enjoy good relations as neighbors in the region and partners in several international organizations. The two countries established relations in 1992. There is an active free trade agreement between Georgia and Turkey. Turkey's export to Georgia exceeded $768 million in 2013. Important regional projects, including Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, huge TAP and TANAP unites the two countries in the sphere of economic partnership. Turkey and Georgia apply non-visa entries for citizens of the two countries.