Azernews.Az

By Jamila Babayeva

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with President of Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) Fraction of the European Parliament (EP) Hannes Swoboda.

The parties discussed relations between Georgia and the EU. Their conversation also covered developments within the Eastern Partnership. A hope was expressed that Georgia will sign an association agreement in June, the prime minister's press office reported.

Georgia initialed association agreement with the EU at the Vilnius summit dedicated to the European Union's 'Eastern Partnership' countries - ex-Soviet states on November 29, 2013. The signing of the Association Agreement is scheduled for August 2014.

Garibashvili informed the guests about the reforms in his country and said the action plan for Georgia's rapprochement with the EU covers almost all spheres of political, economic and social life.

The parties also discussed the Georgian-Russian relations and the situation in the occupied regions.

"The conversation's main topics included the preparation of the association agreement, a subsequent rapprochement with the EU, the reforms and the geopolitical situation," Swoboda said after the meeting. "For us Europeans, Georgia is a very important partner in the region. We support the reforms in the country and strengthening of economic and political ties between Georgia and the EU."

S&D speaker Celine Bayer, EU Ambassador to Georgia Philip Dimitrov, Georgian Deputy Prime Minister Kakha Kaladze and chairman of the 'Georgian Dream' faction Giorgi Volski also attended the meeting.

Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats is the second largest fraction in European Parliament. It is mainly composed of the members of the European Socialist Party and unites Socialist, Social-Democratic and Workers' Parties of 27 countries.