EU Commission Positively Assesses Georgia's Implementation of EU AA
European Union (EU) positively assesses reforms undertaken by Georgia in line with the strategic priorities agreed between the EU and Georgia under the Association Agreement which fully entered into force on July 1, 2016.
“Georgia is making headway in implementing the Association Agenda, with a number of reforms, strengthening democracy and the rule of law as well as the economy, already being implemented,” European Commission stated on Tuesday.
The details are highlighted in a joint report, released on November 29 by the European External Action Service and the European Commission ahead of the EU-Georgia Association Council on 2 December 2016.
The joint report assesses Georgia's implementation of the Association Agenda since the 1st of January 2015. According to the report, Georgia has implemented a number of reforms, strengthening democracy and the rule of law, as well as other key areas in the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.
The report says that Georgia's democratic institutions have been consolidated, and a comprehensive legislative framework for human rights and anti-discrimination has been adopted.
The document notes that Georgia successfully met all benchmarks under the Visa Liberalization Action Plan, as evidenced by the European Commission's proposal to the Council and the European Parliament to lift visa obligations for Georgian citizens in March 2016. The EU-Georgia Visa Liberalization Dialogue proved to be an important and particularly effective tool for advancing far-reaching reforms.
Moreover, it stressed the legal framework guaranteed freedom of the press; now the media landscape was dynamic and pluralistic, even if polarized, and this was a huge step forward on previous years.
In the section dedicated to economic development, the report underlines the benefits brought to the EU and Georgia since the start of the provisional application of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) in September 2014.The EU now accounts for a quarter of Georgia's overall trade whilst the DCFTA has led to the removal of customs tariffs and quotas and has also underpinned the process of bringing Georgia's trade-related regulations closer to the standards of the EU.
However, the report recalls that the full range of commitments under the Association Agreement will require further legislation and in parallel the steady implementation of existing rules and standards. According to the report, this is essential to guarantee that Georgian citizens will, over time, fully enjoy the benefits of the DCFTA and of the broader EU-Georgia relationship.
According to the report, the Georgian export to the European Union increased by 16% in 2015. EU assesses the business environment in Georgia as the best in the region and states that despite the unfavorable regional context the positive trend continues.
“In the spirit of our political association and economic association, the EU-Georgia dialogue and cooperation have become ever closer,” the report reads.
Furthermore, the European Union continues to fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
The EU actively supports conflict resolution efforts through the work of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the EU Monitoring Mission. Georgia provides personnel to EU military and civilian operations, strengthening the EU's role as a global security provider and increasing the resilience of countries worldwide.
EU Officials made comments about the report and praised Georgia for implementing its obligations before the EU.
“The report recognizes the sustained work of the Georgian authorities. Still, some important legislation needs to be passed, and some additional measures taken. Implementing reforms is not always easy, and requires determination and leadership, but it is bringing countless new opportunities to our peoples”, said the EU High Representative/Vice-President, Federica Mogherini.
The Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn noted that the EU would continue supporting the authorities in their efforts to bring Georgia closer to EU.
Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) welcomed the Association Implementation Report on Georgia and stated that relations between Georgia and the EU illustrate commitment to the shared values, among others, democracy and the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, support of market economy.
“The Government of Georgia is committed to continue the reforms, which ensure the country’s democratic development and maximum rapprochement with the EU. Georgia will continue implementation of the large number of laws adopted in the process of legislation and institutional structures approximation with the EU and will ensure the proper and effective functioning of all main institutions that are crucial for the democratic development,” the statement of Georgia’s MFA reads.
By Thea Morrison
Photo source: PIA