Commissioner Hahn: Georgia Is Key Strategic Partner of EU

European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn says Georgia is our key strategic partner in terms of the implementation of the DCFTA and the Association Agreement.

Hahn made the statement during his two-day visit in Georgia on September 3-4, at the joint press conference following the meeting with the Georgian Foreign Minister, David Zalkaliani. However, he also noted that there are still many opportunities that need to be addressed.

The European Commissioner thanked the Georgian government for fruitful cooperation, including in terms of implementing the visa-liberalization regime. He also highly appraised Georgia-EU cooperation in the development of transit links.

Hahn also reaffirmed his readiness to participate in the activities to mark the tenth anniversary of the Eastern partnership to be held in Batumi.

According to Zalkaliani, Georgia has an ambitious plan to take more steps beyond the Association Agreement and the Georgian Government’s new initiative in the form of the Roadmap serves the realization of this very ambition. He explained that the Roadmap concept which is already in place envisages greater sectoral and physical integration with the EU and deeper co-operation with the EU programs and agencies.

“The EU Commissioner paid special attention to the new format of high-level dialogue with the European Union to be chaired by the President of the European Commission and the Prime Minister of Georgia, the first meeting of which will be held in November. We expect that this new format, unprecedented and launched exclusively with respect to Georgia, will serve as yet another step bringing Georgia closer to the European Union,” the Minister noted.

Constructive exchange with FM of #Georgia, @DZalkaliani. We discussed geopolitic challenges of the region. Commend #Georgia’s excellent record w/regard to implementation of #AssociationAgreement. Looking fw. to celebrate ten years’ #EaP at the #Batumi conference next year! pic.twitter.com/xrIVYMhgwh

— Johannes Hahn (@JHahnEU) September 3, 2018

By Thea Morrison