Brussels, 20/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 20 October, the foreign affairs committee at the European Parliament voted on recommendations to the Council, the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) on the negotiations of the EU-Georgia association agreement, underlining efforts made by the different countries. Speaking personally, Krzysztof Lisek (EPP, Poland), who is rapporteur on the association agreement, said he has been greatly impressed by what has happened in recent years, given that there is now a coherent reform process for the system and the state while developing the economy. He said they were monitoring developments closely and that things looked very positive, from both the political and economic points of view. Lisek went on to add that the EU and Georgia could move forward together in a spirit of cooperation.
The day before, the president of the Georgian parliament, David Bakradze, had spoken with committee members, underlining that EU-Georgia relations have been marked by renewed and promising momentum, that negotiations on the association agreement are well on track, and that there is cause for optimism. It is very positive, he stressed, saying that his country wants to come closer to the EU.
MEPs underlined that it is important to do what is necessary to ensure talks continue at an even pace. They call for Union commitment and talks underway with Georgia to be founded on a European perspective, including the possibility of Georgia one day becoming a member of the EU. MEPs also set out recommendations on relations between Russia and Georgia. Both countries are in conflict over the subject of the two breakaway regions of Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. David Bakradze underlined that “cooperation is necessary but Russia is asking us to give up a large part of our political and territorial sovereignty. We are not ready to pay that price.” He went on to specify that the country has set a special strategy in place on commitment in the two breakaway regions and said the EU has a specific role to play. “We are hoping for negotiation and we shall give an active role to the EU, which could bring its non-binding and accompanying power to play in these two regions”, he explained. The president of the Georgian parliament also underlined that he is not opposed to Russia's entry to the WTO.
MEPs also recommended that negotiations should begin “as soon as possible” on the creation of a strong, comprehensive free trade area. and that the Commission should examine the possibility of beginning discussion on visa liberalisation.
The Lisek report welcomes the “significant” breakthroughs made by the country in the field of democratic reform, including the strengthening of democratic institutions, the fight against corruption, reform of the judiciary, and economic reform and liberalisation. Nonetheless, MEPs underlined that there is still a great deal of work to be done. (CG/transl.jl)