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On 27th of June, 2014 association agreement between Georgian and EU was signed in Brussels, including deep and comprehensive free trade area. From Georgian side the document was signed by the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili, and from EU side - the president of Euro commission Jose Manuel Barroso and the president of European council Herman Van Rompuy. The agreement was also signed by the heads of 28 EU member countries. The signature ceremonial was attended by the delegation of Georgia which consists of the ministry of foreign affairs Maia Panjikidze, state minister in European and Euro Atlantic integration Aleksi Petriashvili, the minister of economic and sustainable development Giorgi kvirikashvili and minister of justice Tea Tsulukiani and deputy chief of government administration Nino Kobakhidze. After completion of the signing ceremony, the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili held a press conference and spoke about the historic importance of June 27. According to him the Association Agreement with EU is a basis of important changes in the country, aiming the provision of a better future. "The door has been open for Georgia; today's signing is a clear demonstration of it. This is our main action plan of Europeanization, general plan of modernization. It depends on reforms and we undertook the liability of reform implementation. It depends on how fast we will implement the reforms to meet the requirements. It is depended on us, can be said 5-10 years. It is depended on the progress, Georgia will achieve. We undertook the liability of reform implementation in order to maximally approach the EU standards. We will do our best to become a full member of the European Union" - Irakli Garibashvili said. He also mentioned that a special emphasis is given to the deep and comprehensive free trade area, which is the inseparable part of the Association Agreement. "Deep and comprehensive free trade area will pave the way to the biggest and dynamically growing markets for the Georgian products and services, without any tariffs and quotas. Introduction of the European standards, particularly quality standards will improve the business and investment climate in our country even more, which ultimately will bring more investments, new jobs and play a positive role in enhancing social welfare", - Prime Minister said. According to the head of the Georgian Government, signing the Association Agreement is not ultimate goal of Georgia; it is only the beginning of the way, full of challenges, leading to Europe. "We are ready to follow the way and secure our future in the European family together with the EU", - Irakli Garibashvili said. He answered the questions of the journalists, regarding the occupied territories and said that the Government of Georgia wish to share the benefit, afforded by the Association Agreement with the European Union, with the Ossetia and Abkhaz brothers. "As for the occupied territories, I think I said it very clearly, I send clear messages to our brothers and sisters that the door is opened. They will also have opportunity to benefit from the Association Agreement, free trade area and simplified visa regime. I think, this is very clear message that the Agreement gives big opportunity to them as well and we wish to share this benefit with them," - the Prime Minister said. |
