Georgia's choice - the European family
By Nazrin Gadimova
Georgia's choice is the European family, and this process is irreversible, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on the eve of the Eastern Partnership Summit to be held in Vilnius on November 28-29.
"This summit is very important for the future of our country, as our choice is the European family, the European way," he said. "Accordingly, it will become an irreversible process. After signing of the Association Agreement, new ways of business and trade will open for Georgia."
The prime minister said Ukraine's position will not negatively influence Georgia's decision.
Ukraine's government halted preparations for the signing of the Association Agreement with the European Union in mid-November, saying it needs to develop economic relations with Russia and the CIS.
"The case of Ukraine is not indicative for Georgia because the country is not so much attached to Russia," Garibashvili said.
Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze, in turn, said Association Agreement between Georgia and the EU is bound to be signed by September 2014.
"We will witness an important historical event," she said. "At the Vilnius summit the Association Agreement will be initialed."
Earlier, new Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili said Georgia, where exemplary European elections were held, is an integral part of Europe. According to the president, signing the Association Agreement with the EU is the main strategy of the Georgian government now.
The president also said that Georgian society and its political spectrum have common views on Georgia's choice to integrate into the EU.
The country started negotiations on the Association Agreement in July 2010. The Agreement will replace the 1996 agreement on partnership and cooperation with the EU.
Georgia expects to initial the Association Agreement with the EU at the Eastern Partnership Summit, which will be held in Vilnius on November 28-29. President Margvelashvili will lead the country's delegation at the summit.