2019-03-29
A modern democracy is unimaginable without a strong, professional civil sector playing a decisive role in the country's political, economic, or social development, Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze stated in his speech at the Closer to People-Stronger Civil Society Conference organized by the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum's National Platform.
According to the Head of Government, Georgia boasts an active civil sector engaged in virtually every area of policymaking, and monitoring the Government's performance.
"I believe that European integration is far more than just the political choice of our society-it is a civilizational choice that further emphasizes that civic engagement is the only decisive precondition of our success on this path. This conference promotes dialogue and further cooperation in our country's most crucial areas. As Head of Government, I would like to reaffirm the Government's commitment to actively participating in this dialogue," the Prime Minister of Georgia said.
According to Mamuka Bakhtadze, the engagement of the nongovernmental sector in the country's European integration is part of both foreign and domestic policies. In fact, the civil sector participates in every phase of the implementation of the reforms under the Georgia-EU Association Agreement, as well as in the process of developing the Association Agenda setting forth the country's steps to be taken through 2020, the Head of Government emphasized.
"The Georgia-EU Civil Society Platform has been established under the Association Agreement to monitor the implementation of the agreement. The Eastern Partnership National Platform is actively lobbying the fulfilment of the Partnership's objectives. As you know, a few weeks ago in Brussels, we presented our new roadmap, and I am thankful to the civil sector for active participation in its development. It is a new stage, indeed, one poised to advance Georgia's EU integration to a new level. Representatives of civil society were engaged in the preparation of this strategically vital document. Naturally, it is one of the first documents of this kind, but there must be more of those on sectoral integration. I am convinced that you will be just as active in the preparation of these new documents as you have been in the development of the roadmap," Mamuka Bakhtadze underlined.
According to the Head of Government, Georgia-EU relations are actively progressing. One of the main topics in relation to the EU involves inclusive growth, a type of economic growth that reflects on every Georgian citizen, Mamuka Bakhtadze said.
"I am especially happy to see that today's conference is attended by regional representatives of the civil sector. To us, stronger regions equal a stronger Georgia, and vice versa. Accordingly, your engagement in this issue is of vital importance to all. We are enhancing the quality of our European integration. As you know, on November 21, 2018, a meeting of historic significance was held-for the first time, Georgia was given the opportunity to discuss prospects of sectoral integration at the highest level, together with the European Commissioners. It was a unique platform created exclusively for Georgia. I avail myself of this opportunity once again to thank our European friends for appreciating our tireless efforts, once again to send them our strong message of Georgia's readiness for further integration into European structures," Mamuka Bakhtadze stated.
According to the Prime Minister, returning to the European family has never been an exclusively political objective for Georgia, but also a civilizational, value-based choice of the Georgian nation.
"A few weeks ago, we announced a new reform in the sector of education which, I believe, is an idea of national importance in that it will help us overcome every challenge facing Georgia. The first republic, in my opinion, is the example in Georgian history to look up to. I believe that it was a genuinely unique generation in our millennia-old history, a generation that viewed Georgia as an integral part of European civilization. One of their first reforms resulted in the opening of 1,200 new schools within two years. And I believe that to be the right way, the only way to freedom, freedom from occupation, and freedom from poverty. In the 21st century, we believe that we need something new to tackle challenges. Naturally, we should always focus on innovation. In many cases, however, our great ancestors did conceive similar ideas in the past, though history, unfortunately, would not let them to finish what they had started. I am convinced that together we, the state, the civil sector, and Georgian civil society, with the help of our friends in the West, will succeed in completing this historic mission of turning Georgia into an integral part of the European family," the Prime Minister emphasized.
Almost 200 delegates are participating in the conference, including representatives of local and foreign NGOs, the authorities, and the diplomatic corps.
Prime Minister's Press Office