Verslag van de vergadering van EU-president Van Rompuy met de premier van Georgië Merabishvili (en)

EUCO 153/12

PRESSE 362

PR PCE 132

Remarks following the meeting of

President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy

with Prime Minister of Georgia, Ivane Merabishvili

President Van Rompuy met with the Prime Minister of Georgia, Merabishvili, on his first visit to Brussels, and congratulated him on his recent appointment in the Office. The President recalled his visit to Georgia last July, and expressed his wish to working together on a very intense agenda at a critical time for Georgia.

The President recalled the impressive recent developments in Georgia where more efficient institutions have been built and improved services to citizens have been delivered with the help of the EU. In this regard he recalled that in the spirit of the "more for more" policy, the EU has intensified its support through additional €22 million of assistance under the new Eastern Partnership Integration and Cooperation programme.

The objective to complete next year the negotiations on a new Association Agreement with a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement was also stressed.

The President and the Prime Minister agreed that the good momentum in the bilateral relations should help Georgia to continue its modernization, and to complete the transition from the Rose Revolution and to consolidate democracy.

The President of the European Council underlined that the parliamentary elections in October would be crucial in terms of democratic development, stressing the importance to ensure a proper electoral framework and voicing some concern with growing tension in the pre-electoral environment.

He also made clear that the EU shares the strong interest in the resolution of the conflicts regarding the Georgian breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and firmly supports Georgia’s territorial integrity. He reassured that the EU will remain fully engaged in a central role in the Geneva international discussions and through the EU Monitoring Mission.

The President encouraged the government to look for further pragmatic and constructive steps to enhance its reconciliation and conflict resolution efforts with the breakaway regions. The EU and Georgia share the interest to open these isolated societies to modernization and development. He stressed that "the benefits from getting closer to the EU - higher standards, free trade, investment and visa liberalization - should reach the whole population, including those divided by conflict.". President Van Rompuy and Prime Minister Merabishvili agreed to remain in contact.