EU confirms support for finalizing Association Agreement with Georgia
By Jamila Babayeva
The EU is committed to the rapid signing of an Association Agreement with Georgia, European Commission President said.
Jose Manuel Barroso made the remarks at a joint press conference with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili in Brussels on May 21.
"We support a prosperous, democratic Georgia. The EU reaffirms its support for signing the Association Agreement and the European integration of your country," Barroso said. "Formalizing this document will be a new stage which will bring great benefit to the Georgian society. The EU will fully support the process of political, economic and judicial reforms in Georgia."
Georgia will sign the Association Agreement on June 27.
European integration is a national idea supported by about 85 percent of the Georgian population, Garibashvili said at the meeting with the board of the European Commission.
Saying that 2014 is of historical significance, he added, "On behalf of our country's government, I would like to say that I'm infinitely glad to participate in this unprecedented meeting together with the members of the cabinet headed by me. We are ready to study, be actively engaged, and discuss the opportunities for current and future cooperation."
The Georgian government's strategy in the spheres of human rights and social and economic development until 2020 fully complies with the obligations envisaged by the Agreement, Garibashvili underscored.
On the same day, Garibashvili and Barroso signed an agreement on assisting Georgia within the "Comprehensive Institution Building" (CIB) program. Georgia will receive additional assistance in the amount of 19 million euros from the EU.
The European Commission proposed the CIB in order to support the priorities of the EU's "Eastern Partnership" (EaP) initiative.
The CIB aims to strengthen the institutional capacities of the partner states and support activities related to the Association Agreement (including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement).
It also provides for improving the work of the institutions associated with visa facilitation, readmission, and migration agreements.
The budget provided under the CIB in 2011-2013 was €30.86 million.
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