European Union says "go on, Georgia"
By Mushvig Mehdiyev
Three foreign ministers from the European Union expressed their solidarity towards Georgia in its efforts to build firm relations with the old continent.
Foreign Ministers, Martin Lidegaard from Denmark, Grzegorz Schetyna from Poland and Margot Wallstrom from Sweden visited Tbilisi to hold talks with Georgian officials in view of Tbilisi's moves towards integration with the European and Euro-Atlantic alliance.
In a meeting with Georgian Foreign Minister, Tamar Beruchashvili, the three ministers once again reiterated EU’s "firm support" of Georgia, alongside Denmark, Poland and Sweden’s individual solidarity for the country and its EU ambitions.
The diplomats promised on behalf of their respective governments to spare no effort in helping Georgia to be granted visa free travel within the EU at the Riga Summit in May. They said the EU’s door remains open to Georgia. They however added that in turn the country should meet all requirements written in the Association Agreement.
Moreover, the ministers once more underlined that the EU recognizes all Georgian efforts in view of improving the state' social, economic and political skills.
In regard to Georgia's territorial dispute, the ministers said the EU stance on this issue remains unchanged - it backs Tbilisi's position fully.
The Georgian authorities condemn what they view as Russia's aggressive moves in the light of developments in its Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions. Moscow signed an alliance and partnership treaties with the separatist regimes, a move Tbilisi has slammed. Georgia has argued Russia is attempting to annex some of its territories.
The Polish foreign minister said Georgia could exercise more efforts in strengthening and modernizing its military.
Building solid relations with NATO is of great significance for Georgia, as the aspirant country seeks a membership with the military bloc.
Few countries in the Euro-Atlantic region expressed as much enthusiasm for NATO as Georgia. Despite its non-NATO status, Georgia has recently implemented major defense reforms to prove it can operate effectively alongside the military alliance's forces. NATO has repeatedly welcomed Georgia’s progress in defense transformation. The alliance called on Georgia to share its successful reforms with other nations, and the U.S. expressed its support for Georgia in this mission.
When it comes to Georgia's relations with Russia, Georgia's rulers have claimed that there’s strong aspirations to integrate into the Euro-Atlantic space aims to end the country's long-lasting dispute with Russia and not gain a major ally to further stand against the northern giant's policy in the region.
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