Paet and Saakashvili Discussed Georgian Integration into EU and NATO
21.01.2010
At his meeting today in Tallinn with Georgian President Mikhail
Saakashvili, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised Estonia’s support
for Georgia’s integration into the European Union and NATO. “It is
important for Georgia to continue making domestic and economic reforms
for integrating into Euro-Atlantic structures,” said Foreign Minister
Paet.
While talking about co-operation within the framework of European
Union Neighbourhood Policy and Eastern Partnership, Foreign Minister
Paet emphasised that Georgia should definitely utilise all the
potential opportunities to support its reforms. “Eastern Partnership is
an important opportunity for Georgia and the other Eastern Partnership
partner countries to become closer to the European Union. Eastern
Partnership could help these countries develop through European Union
support, agreements necessary for economic integration, co-operation in
the energy and transport sectors, and visa matters,” said Paet.
Foreign Minister Paet asserted that Estonia supports the prompt
signing of the visa facilitation and readmission agreement between the
EU and Georgia, as well as beginning negotiations for an EU-Georgia
Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) and an Association
Agreement as soon as Georgia is ready.
Paet and Saakashvili also discussed the situation in South Abkhazia.
Foreign Minister Paet reaffirmed Estonia’s support for Georgia’s
territorial integrity. Paet stated that a long-term political solution
must be based on respect for Georgia’s territorial integrity and
sovereignty.
Paet noted that Georgia is still one of Estonia’s priority partners
for foreign and security policy and development co-operation. “Estonia
and Georgia’s co-operation is close, and in the development aid sector,
it is developing further though many bilateral projects for improving
domestic security, developing rule of law, and improving state
capabilities, as well as education projects,” said Paet. Within the
past five years, Estonia has funded 30 different bilateral develop
co-operation projects in Georgia.
Paet and Saakashvili also discussed future co-operation
opportunities for enlivening economic relations. Paet expressed hope
that business relations between Estonia and Georgia would be
facilitated by the agreement for the protection of investments that
will soon come into force.
SPOKESPERSON´S OFFICE
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+372 521 3085
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