Azernews.Az

By Mushvig Mehdiyev

Georgia’s Foreign Minister embarked on a working visit to Brussels to meet with certain European officials.

Tamar Beruchashvili, accompanied by Georgian State Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration David Bakradze, met with his Belgian counterpart, Didier Reynders to mainly discuss business cooperation.

During the meeting, both diplomats shook hands for a soon visit of the Flanders Investment and Trade mission to Georgia to get acquainted with investment and business opportunities.

The Flanders Investment and Trade agency is a Brussels-based organization promoting sustainable international business, in the interest of both Flanders-based companies and overseas enterprises.

Reynders expressed his firm support for Georgia in its aspirations towards the European and Euro-Atlantic integration. He noted that Georgia’s progress in the Eastern Partnership format will be reflected in his statement at the Riga Summit on May 21- 22.

Following the sitting with Reynders, Beruchashvili also met with European Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmstrom.

The pair discussed the current situation regarding the implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area and future steps to be taken in this direction.

The sides also emphasized the importance of the upcoming Eastern Partnership Riga Summit in terms of promoting the process of Georgia’s political association and economic integration with the EU.

Beruchashvili expressed the readiness of the Georgian government to continue the implementation of reforms under the DCFTA which will reportedly attract more investments to the country, improve local and international business environment, create new jobs and facilitate the country’s economic modernization.

Malmstrom focused primarily on the EU’s readiness to render relevant assistance to Georgia in the implementation of reforms for successfully fulfilling its obligations under the Association Agreement.

An increase in the trade turnover between Georgia and the EU following the provisional application of the AA saw a warm welcome from the two diplomats.

Intensifying the multilateral cooperation with the EU is of great significance for the Georgian authorities, which seek a strong and reliable partner to stand against Russia's policy in view of Georgia.

Moscow's signing of association agreements with separatist regimes in Georgia's breakaway regions disturbs Tbilisi seriously as it views those approximation as an annexation of its regions by Russia. In this case, feeling Europe's hand on its shoulders somehow makes Georgia feel more upbeat about its future.

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