Georgian PM: Relations with EU at All Time High

Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze says that the country’s relations with the European
Union have never been so advanced, adding that Georgia is successfully implementing its
responsibilities to the EU.
The PM said important reforms have been carried out in the country in terms of both legislative and
institutional alignment, which is a mandatory precondition for the country's European and Euro-
Atlantic integration.
“I believe that we have sufficient resources to fulfill a part of our obligations ahead of schedule," he
noted.
Bakhtadze made the comment at the joint meeting of the Government Commission on EU
Integration and the State Commission on NATO Integration.
The information about the 5th Meeting of the Georgia-EU Association Council, scheduled for March
5 in Brussels, was provided to the meeting participants where the Georgian side will present the EU
Integration Roadmap.
“In Brussels, together with the EU side, we will summarize our progress toward European integration
and present the EU Integration Roadmap, a very important document enabling us to consolidate our
progress under European integration and to take further steps beyond the Association Agreement,
toward deeper and more comprehensive integration, including sectoral integration,” he explained.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the visa-free travel with the EU, obtained by the
country in March 2018.
“Ensuring a flawless visa-waiver process is one of our government's top priorities because, besides
practical benefits, visa-free travel also carries political weight,” he said.
The joint meeting of the commissions approved Georgia's Annual National Program, one of the
crucial NATO membership mechanisms. According to Bakhtadze, Georgia is a special and reliable
partner to NATO, as evidenced by the strong messages made at the recent Munich Security
Conference.
“This year, we are hosting NATO's Secretary General, Military Committee, and North Atlantic
Council, which is a great honor and, at the same time, responsibility. Still, all this reiterates that
Georgia-NATO relations have advances to a new level," he added.