Brussels, 12/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 12 November, President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and Prime Minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili said they want to progress on economic and social issues before the Eastern Partnership summit in summer 2013. “The European Union remains deeply committed to work with Georgia on all these issues and to make substantial progress towards political association and economic integration”, Barroso said, adding that he wants to conclude an association agreement and a deep and comprehensive free-trade agreement. He wanted a political agreement on the association agreement and the free trade area before the summit in summer 2013, and he underlined that negotiations will depend on Tbilisi's reforms. Ivanishvili said that he wanted to sign and formalise the association agreement before summer 2013.
Barroso also wants progress on visa liberalisation before the summit and said that negotiations will depend on progress in the reforms. He added that the Commission would present the Georgian authorities with a plan on visa liberalisation and mobility at the end of this year or the beginning of next, after discussion with the member states. Ivanishvili hoped that European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström would present her proposals to Tbilisi on 3 December.
Barroso also called on all the Georgian political actors to continue using their leadership to maintain a “constructive and responsible political atmosphere” in the interest of all Georgians. He spoke of Europe's support for the territorial integrity of Georgia.
Ivanishvili said that he wants to accelerate Georgia's integration process with the EU, the European family and NATO as much as possible. (CG/transl.fl)