2018-10-02

"EU integration of Georgia is our top priority and support of European friends in this process is of greatest importance to us" stated Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia during his meeting with Carl Hartzell, new Head of EU Mission to Georgia.

It was noted that Georgia is a leader among the countries of Eastern Partnership with its reforms and achieved progress. Significance of further strengthening the initiative and holding 10th Anniversary of the Eastern Partnership at a high level next year was underlined as well.

Focus was made on the progress achieved within the visa liberalization process, Roadmap of EU integration of Georgia and high level format within the scope of which the first meeting will be held in Brussels under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Georgia and President of the European Commission. Discussions were related to the current high level relations between Georgia and EU, meeting of the Head of the Government of Georgia with Jean-Claude Junker, President of the European Commission and Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy within the scope of US visit of the Prime Minister of Georgia, along with a trend of the high level EU-Georgia visits.

Head of the Government of Georgia shared information with the newly appointed EU Ambassador on the comprehensive reforms implemented in the country, including the fundamental changes expected in the education sector. Prime Minister of Georgia expressed his satisfaction with the fact that funding of the Erasmus Program in Georgia is increasing and noted that it is fully attuned with the vision of the Government of Georgia (GOG) towards the development of human capital in the country. It was noted that improvement of the quality of education in the country will also be facilitated by the European School, which was recently opened in Tbilisi.

Successful implementation of the EU Association Agreement (AA) and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) was underlined, along with the cooperation of Georgia and EU in the area of international security.

Prime Minister of Georgia and EU Ambassador discussed the current difficulties observed in the occupied territories of the country and role of EU in overcoming these challenges. Also, reference was made to the peace initiative of the GOG, which is aimed at the restoration of trust between the conflict-affected communities.

Prime Minister's Press Office