Vilnius, 29/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - During the Eastern Partnership summit on Friday 29 November, the European Union initialled two association agreements with deep and comprehensive free-trade areas - one with Moldova and the other with Georgia. These agreements are the most advanced of this type ever negotiated by the EU as they go beyond the simple opening of the market. As well as trade, the agreements also include sectoral cooperation, with increased participation in EU programmes and agencies, and cooperation in sectors such as civil protection, energy and the environment.
“This is an important stage which marks the beginning of a new phase in our relations”, said European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. “From now on our economies and a growing number of sectors in our societies will be linked. We will work together more and more”, he added.
Moldova's Prime Minister Iurie Leanca described the agreement as “historic”, saying that it “symbolises the trust, openness and cooperation” between the EU and his country. “Together we will reach all the common objectives”, he said. Georgia's President Georgi Margbelashvili did not comment on the issue.
Launched in January 2010, the negotiations with Moldova came to an end in June 2013. The negotiations with Georgia were launched in July 2010 and were concluded in July 2013. “The initialling is only the first stage”, said Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaité. Signature of these agreements, once the text of over 1,000 pages has been translated, could take place in September 2014, according to Sweden's Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Bildt. The Moldovan and Georgian parliaments will have to adopt legislation incorporating the agreements into national law. While awaiting the ratification of all the EU member state parliaments, the provisional application of the agreements could take place at the end of 2014 or the beginning of 2015 - which will enable the removal of most customs duties on goods. “Let's not forget that, in the months and years to come, the demanding task awaits us of the provisional application and full implementation of these global agreements”, warned Barroso (our translation throughout).
Georgia also signed a framework agreement on its participation in crisis management missions of the European Union. This was welcomed by Margbelashvili in his speech. The negotiations for this agreement were launched on 26 November 2012. The agreement provides for a permanent legal base for Georgia's integration in current and future crisis management efforts of the EU across the world. (CG/transl.fl)