The European Parliament today adopted a Report containing recommendations on the EU-Georgia Association Agreement, defining the main lines on which future relations with Georgia should be based. MEPs call on the European Institutions to launch the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) negotiations as soon as possible. "It is a key issue for both parties, Georgia as well as the EU. By benefiting from the free trade agreement, EU companies would gain unfettered access to the Georgian market; and on the part of Georgia, this would result in an increased export potential of a whole range of products", said Krzysztof Lisek MEP, author of the Report and Standing Rapporteur for Georgia in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament.
The MEPs recognised that Georgia is one of the best-performing partners of the Eastern Partnership in adopting reforms and called for the launch of the DCFTA as soon as possible. The Report underlines that Georgia is a European state and further negotiations should therefore include its European perspective. The next item on the EU agenda is the discussion on visa liberalisation. The Rapportuer underlines that Georgia is a key partner in improving the EU's energy security by promoting priority projects and policy measures for the development of the Southern Corridor (NABUCCO, AGRI, Trans-Caspian Pipeline, White Stream, EAOTC).
MEPs also underlined the unsolved Russian-Georgian conflict, which is hampering the stability and development of Georgia. "This is the first document from the European Institutions which calls for an end to the occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Russian troops and underlines Georgia's territorial integrity. This is why the EP fully supports the latest developments, i.e. the compromise between the two countries allowing Russia to join the World Trade Organisation", concluded Krzysztof Lisek MEP.
On Friday, Krzysztof Lisek will present his Report during the joint session of the Foreign Relations Committee and the European Integration Committee of the Parliament of Georgia. He will afterwards hold meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Grygol Vashadze, and President Mikheil Saakashvili.
