Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Georgia has no alternative to integration into the European Union, Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said in Batumi, opening an international conference entitled "EU Eastern partners - to the Vilnius summit of the Eastern Partnership", on July 12.

"The entire Georgian people have chosen the European path of development and it's not a choice of any political force. Georgia is a European country and it wants to become a part of Europe and there is no alternative," Ivanishvili said.

According to the prime minister, the new government, which came to power through the parliamentary elections of 2012, intends to build the European type of active democratic society in Georgia.

Ivanishvili said his government provides true freedom of speech, free trial, free media, transforms the penitentiary system and pursues democratic reforms.

"The country is living in the conditions of cohabitation, and though this is ongoing with difficulties, it is being implemented nonetheless. Proof of this is the adoption of a number of cooperation documents in parliament, my meeting with the minority leader, etc.," Ivanishvili said.

The Georgian prime minister pledged to hold the most free presidential elections in Georgia's history. He also said that Georgia will protect the rights of all minorities.

He thanked the EU for its assistance and welcomed the principle of "more for more".

"The more progress we achieve, the more Europe will help us," he said.

Ivanishvili particularly thanked the EU for the creation of the institution of the European partnership, and for supporting Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. He noted that Georgia has started a successful dialogue with Russia, but does not preclude the mediation of the United States and Europe in this dialogue, which confirms the importance of the Geneva format.

The prime minister confirmed Georgia's seeking to become part of the European transport transit corridor, as well as to be part of the system of gas supplies to Europe from Asia and Azerbaijan.

The 10th international conference entitled "EU Eastern partners - to the Vilnius summit of the Eastern Partnership" is being held in Batumi on July 12.

The event is organized by the office of the state minister for European integration and with support of the EU and Lithuania.

The participants of the conference, EU representatives and the countries of the Eastern Partnership are discussing the agenda of European integration and the preparations for the Vilnius summit.

The four thematic sessions will focus on democracy and the rule of law as a requirement for membership in the European family, security and stability in Eastern Europe, prospects of economic integration with the EU and challenges and prospects relating to the dialogue on visa liberalization and challenges.

Traditionally, the conference is attended by Georgian officials and the EU member countries, EU institutions and partner countries, representatives of NGOs and business people.

Georgia expects initialing of the association agreement with the EU at the Eastern Partnership Summit to be held in Vilnius on November 28-29. The Georgian government announced that it will make the best of efforts to achieve certain results.

Georgia started negotiations on Association Agreement in July 2010. It will replace the 1996 agreement with the EU on partnership and cooperation.