2016-11-23
Georgia-EU Association Objectives is the title of the annual conference launched today in Tbilisi, Georgia. It was envisaged by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concluded by and between the Government of Georgia and Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum Georgian National Platform about the Implementation of EU-Georgia Association Agreement.
Mr. Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Acting Prime Minister of Georgia addressed the participants of the Conference.
In his opinion, Platform as is one of the largest union of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs), plays a distinct role in the process of EU integration of Georgia.
According to the Acting Prime Minister, shared efforts of the Government and NGO sectors is most important within the context of EU integration, thus leading to the public consolidation in the country and further boosting the EU integration process.
As noted by Mr. Kvirikashvili, one of the key directions of the Four Point Plan is the Inclusive Governance and cooperation with the NGO sectors is a clear priority within this context. NGOs are engaged in the implementation of the reforms in different directions and support the Government in building a democratic, modern and developed state.
"EU and Euro-Atlantic integration process of Georgia is irreversible! Association Agreement signed by EU and Georgia was fully enforced this year, though we have started to consistently adhere to it since the interim enactment on September 1, 2014. By the assessment of our European partners, Georgia is a vivid leader among the Eastern Partnership Countries in terms of the implementation of the Association Agreement" noted Mr. Kvirikashvili.
In his opinion, coordination mechanism for the effective implementation of the Association Agreement and Association Agenda will be further intensified in future. One of the key areas within the context is the introduction of an electronic monitoring system, which is planned with support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in the nearest future.
"Association Agreement covers the entire spectrum of political, social and economic sectors. It is fully consistent with the Government Vision on the Political and Socio-Economic Development of the country. Success achieved in General Elections this October is yet another significant step made forward towards the democratic development and EU integration" added Mr. Kvirikashvili.
According to the Acting Prime Minister, full use of the current potential in the economic relations of Georgia and EU is a key direction of the Government Agenda. Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) is effectively implemented with all its requirements and commitments.
"Formation of a Free Trade Area will significantly facilitate the attraction of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). It will incentivize the economic growth and economic development at large. Georgia is consistently progressing towards becoming an integral part of the EU market, which will lead to substantial positive benefits to the population of our country" stated Mr. Kvirikashvili.
In his opinion, national authorities of the country are expecting another significant milestone towards EU integration, which will manifest itself in visa-liberalization.
"Georgia is in full compliance with the requirements laid out in the EU Visa-Liberalization Action Plan and it is now our European Partners' turn to respond accordingly to our adhered commitments. We sincerely hope that EU will complete the respective procedures and population of Georgia will be able to enjoy the visa-free travel" stated the Acting Prime Minister.
According to Mr. Kvirikashvili, it would have been impossible to achieve the current success towards EU integration without the active engagement of the civil society. In his opinion, expertise knowledge and experience accumulated in the NGO sector is highly valued by the Government.
"Georgia is the first country among those who signed the EU Association Agreement, which actively engaged the NGO sector in the planning and monitoring of the implementation process. Also, Georgia was first to ensure the engagement of the civil society in the preliminary planning of the EU Association Agenda. We are actively cooperating with NGOs united under the National Platform of Georgia within the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and other representatives of the civil society" noted the Acting Prime Minister.
Mr. Kvirikashvili expressed his gratitude to the EU Member States, international organizations and donor agencies actively engaged in boosting the civil sector of the country and development of cooperation mechanisms between the Government and NGO sectors.
"Irrespective of the progress achieved within the EU Association Agreement, we will implement a lot of reforms and will face a number of challenges. I am confident that our close cooperation and interaction will make it easy to overcome the difficulties. Today's conference is an excellent opportunity for seeking agreement on our positions and discuss the effective implementation of the Association Agreement. Government of Georgia deems it important to get exposed to the documents drafted by the civil society and take their findings and recommendations into consideration" noted Mr. Kvirikashvili.
Acting Prime Minister of Georgia congratulated the audience with the launch of the first annual conference aimed at the planning and successful implementation of the reforms applicable to the EU integration.
He also thanked the organizers of the conference - Office of the State Minister and Eastern PartnershipCivil Society Forum Georgian National Platform and supporters of the conference - UNDP and Government of Sweden.
Acting Prime Minister also thanked Mr. David Bakradze for his very productive and successful performance during his term served as State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.
"Outstanding inter-agency coordination existed within the country on the implementation of an Action Plan for the EU Association Agreement under his leadership. Reform Agenda for 2017-2020 stemming from the EU Association Agenda was developed with his truly active participation. I wish to thank him sincerely for all his efforts and wish great success in his new position as an Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Georgia to USA. It is also important for the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Georgia" concluded the Acting Prime Minister of Georgia.