2018-07-19
Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia:
Thank you Your Excellency!
From the outset, I want to thank President Tusk for a very warm welcome. We truly value EU's support and personally your input in advancing Georgia's European integration process, - and I should say that Georgia remains firm on this path. With this very reason, choosing Brussels as my first foreign destination as a Prime Minister, was very logical.
During the meeting we had the opportunity to assess the achievements on our bilateral agenda and to discuss further prospects of deepening our relations and cooperation.
With the Association Agreement, including the DCFTA, in place, we have been overhauling our legislative and institutional system by bringing it in line with the EU norms and standards. It has consolidated Government's reform efforts towards strengthening of democracy and good governance, rule of law and stability.
Through the DCFTA we have been modernizing our economy and gradually integrating with the EU market. The reforms have been translated into a substantial increase of trade with the EU making the Union our largest trade partner; we have been speedily improving our international rankings and building better business and investment climate.
The visa-free regime has brought direct tangible results to Georgian citizens. It contributed to making business, academic, tourist and cultural ties even stronger between our societies. These achievements come with the responsibilities and we fully share them.
I should particularly underscore EU's special role in promoting peace and stability in Georgia through maintaining its Monitoring Mission, through mediation within the Geneva international discussions, as well as implementing active non-recognition and engagement policy. Let me express our deep gratitude for extending the EU Monitoring Mission's mandate. Regretfully, after 10 years since the August War of 2008, further deteriorating security and human rights conditions of conflict-affected people, the Russian Federation still continues this approach. Against this backdrop, EU's and our international partners' firm stance regarding unlawful policy of Russia and their effective engagement has strong bearing on ensuring territorial integrity of Georgia within the internationally recognised borders. On our part, while being firmly committed to the peace policy, the Government of Georgia is making concrete efforts towards reconciliation and confidence building, which are spelt out in our new peace initiative "A Step to a Better Future".
At the same time, Georgia remains EU's reliable security ally - we are proud to be contributing side by side with our European partners within the EU-led missions to peace and stability worldwide. Strategic Security Dialogue within the EU is another confirmation that the EU and Georgia share common interests in countering common challenges.
Today, we are more than ever motivated to do more and go even further on our European integration path. With the dedicated new Government in place, we are going to inject new dynamism that would step up economic modernization and democratic transformation of Georgia. I would like to thank President Tusk for his words that he fully supports our economic agenda to switch our policy towards more inclusive economic growth.
With this very reason, we are elaborating as our unilateral initiative, a roadmap which is going to bring Georgia ever closer to the EU and help to generate new opportunities for greater integration with the EU.
President Tusk, we do cherish your friendship and to generalize - EU's friendship and engagement with Georgia. Given a solid basis of our relations, we look forward to exploring and working on new possibilities to make these bonds between the EU and Georgia even stronger.
Thank you!
Donald Tusk, President of the European Council
I am very happy to welcome today Prime Minister Bakhtadze in Brussels and to congratulate him on his appointment as Prime Minister of Georgia. Thank you for your choice. This visit is one of the first, or the very first visit of the Georgian Prime Minister. It is very symbolic and I really appreciate this.
Let me first of all express my condolences to the families of those killed in the recent mining accident in Tkibuli and wish those who are wounded a speedy recovery.
The European Union and Georgia are close partners and friends. In our meeting today the Prime Minister and I confirmed our determination to further the economic cooperation on the basis of the ambitious Association Agreement and taking into account the strategic character of Georgia's political association and economic integration with the Union.
EU remains a strong supporter of Georgia's successful reform process. We agreed on the needs to keep up these efforts. I took great interest and had discussions on the regional situation. Georgia is situated in a challenging neighborhood, where it plays a crucial role as a facilitator and bridge builder.
EU appreciated Georgia's efforts in this respect and we look forward to continuing the work together to advance stability, security and development in this region.
Furthermore, there is great appreciation for Georgia's constructive role in the Eastern Partnership and as security provided to both European and Trans-Atlantic Missions abroad.
As we also commemorate the 10 anniversary of the war between Georgia and Russia in August 2008, let me reiterate the European Union‘s unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders.
It is important to note that in these past 10 years Georgia has succeeded in strengthening its democratic institutions and in developing a thriving economy.
The European Union will continue to provide support to Georgia and to reinforce the country's resilience and capacity to find a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
In this context we welcome the initiative a Step to a Better Future, which provides the people living in Abkhazia and South Ossetia with new trade and education opportunities.
We stand ready to provide further assistance to support its implementation.
Dear Prime Minister, let me wish you every success in your new office and I look forward to working with you.