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TBILISI SAYS EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF'S VISITS MARKS NEW STAGE IN THE RELATIONSHIPS
By Nino Edilashvili
Georgia Today
Nov 17 2011
Georgia
Aiming to show the commitment of the European Union to the South
Caucasus, EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton has paid an official
visit in Tbilisi within the framework of her South Caucasus trip on
November 16.
"Over the last year, in the context of the renewed European
Neighborhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership, we have engaged in
a process of significant strengthening of our relations with Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia, including through negotiations of Association
Agreements," Ashton said in Tbilisi.
During her Georgian trip, Ashton also met with President Mikheil
Saakashvili, Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze, as well as
Andrzej Tyszkiewicz, the Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia
(EUMM).
According to Ashton, the European Union is "very keen" to see the
three countries progress with the necessary reforms and with European
values as the "guiding light." She also underscored the importance
taking steps forward in the conflict resolution process.
After the meeting with Ashton, Saakashvili said that Georgia is
getting closer to launching negotiations with the EU on "deep and
comprehensive" free trade agreements.
For Georgia, which is seeking to tap into export markets overseas,
achieving a free trade agreement is seen as a major goal for Georgia's
economy.
"Access to EU markets for Georgian products is a decisive step for
Georgia's further economic growth and the welfare of our people,"
Saakashvili said and expressed hope that these negotiations will be
held in the coming weeks.
Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze was also very upbeat about Ashton's
visit. The talks on the EU-Georgia Association Agreement, he said,
are entering into "a decisive phase."
The EU-Georgia Association Agreement is a treaty between the European
Union and non-EU countries providing a framework for closer political
and economic co-operation. Having already negotiated similar agreements
with Ukraine and Moldova, the EU plans to launch negotiations on an
Association Agreement with all the three South Caucasus countries -
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
"Her tour will calculate the results, on the one hand, and on the
other, it will mark the launch of a new stage in our relationships,"
Vashadze said.
The senior EU official arrived in Tbilisi from Baku and then flew
to Yerevan before heading for Moscow, which is hosting the EU-Russia
Permanent Partnership Council on November 17-18.
By Nino Edilashvili
Georgia Today
Nov 17 2011
Georgia
Aiming to show the commitment of the European Union to the South
Caucasus, EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton has paid an official
visit in Tbilisi within the framework of her South Caucasus trip on
November 16.
"Over the last year, in the context of the renewed European
Neighborhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership, we have engaged in
a process of significant strengthening of our relations with Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia, including through negotiations of Association
Agreements," Ashton said in Tbilisi.
During her Georgian trip, Ashton also met with President Mikheil
Saakashvili, Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze, as well as
Andrzej Tyszkiewicz, the Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia
(EUMM).
According to Ashton, the European Union is "very keen" to see the
three countries progress with the necessary reforms and with European
values as the "guiding light." She also underscored the importance
taking steps forward in the conflict resolution process.
After the meeting with Ashton, Saakashvili said that Georgia is
getting closer to launching negotiations with the EU on "deep and
comprehensive" free trade agreements.
For Georgia, which is seeking to tap into export markets overseas,
achieving a free trade agreement is seen as a major goal for Georgia's
economy.
"Access to EU markets for Georgian products is a decisive step for
Georgia's further economic growth and the welfare of our people,"
Saakashvili said and expressed hope that these negotiations will be
held in the coming weeks.
Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze was also very upbeat about Ashton's
visit. The talks on the EU-Georgia Association Agreement, he said,
are entering into "a decisive phase."
The EU-Georgia Association Agreement is a treaty between the European
Union and non-EU countries providing a framework for closer political
and economic co-operation. Having already negotiated similar agreements
with Ukraine and Moldova, the EU plans to launch negotiations on an
Association Agreement with all the three South Caucasus countries -
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
"Her tour will calculate the results, on the one hand, and on the
other, it will mark the launch of a new stage in our relationships,"
Vashadze said.
The senior EU official arrived in Tbilisi from Baku and then flew
to Yerevan before heading for Moscow, which is hosting the EU-Russia
Permanent Partnership Council on November 17-18.