Azernews.Az

By Jamila Babayeva

Russia will not put obstacles in the way of Georgia to sign an association agreement with the EU.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso made the remarks at a joint press conference with Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili in Tbilisi on June 12.

He noted that the EU-Georgia association agreement, which is scheduled for June 27, is not against Russia.

"Georgia itself has chosen the path to Europe and European integration. This is the choice of the Georgian people," Barroso said. "The EU will continue to help Georgia to build a democratic state and will provide all the tools for this."

Margvelashvili in turn said the Georgian side tries to bring the relations with Russia in a rational direction.

"We with all the powers and measures, somewhere with concessions or with other ways try to establish the Georgian-Russian relations and to direct them to the prudent and rational direction", he stressed.

Margvelashvili also noted that the association agreement with the EU is not against Russia.

He went to say that the signing of the association agreement will be a new milestone in the history of Georgia.

During his visit to Georgia, Barroso also attended an international investment conference with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.

Barroso said the association agreement with the EU will strength Georgia's independence.

"After the signing of the agreement, the joint association council will be established, which will take decisions with the Georgian government's consent," he stressed.

Garibashvili in turn said the Eurointegration is a natural process for Georgia and the nation.

"Georgia will follow steadily this course," he noted.