By Nana Kirtzkhalia for Trend
Fri July 12 2014

 

The European Union plays a major role in Georgia’s stability and security, the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said at the 11th international conference titled ‘Georgia’s European Way’, taking place today in the city of Batumi.

The PM said this is reflected in the political statements in support of Georgia, the work of the observation mission and the EU special representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, and the support for the Geneva talks.

“We hope that in addition to ensuring peace and stability in the region, the EU will support us in carrying out reforms,” Garibashvili said. “In this context, we appreciate the EU Eastern Partnership’s more-for-more principle and we support the EU plan on more actively using this differential method in the subsequent years.”

PM Garibashvili also said the European financial institutions substantially support the development of infrastructure and industrial investment projects in Georgia, especially in the sectors of transport, energy and agriculture.

He added that the introduction of the visa-free entry by the EU for Georgian citizens will be possible to be considered the most attractive short-term result of the country’s integration into Europe.

“Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova, as the EU Eastern Partnership member states, have already made their historic choice, and they chose the path of integration into Europe,” Garibashvili stressed.

“Clearly recognizing the choice of these countries, the EU will enhance its ability to establish peace and stability in the region, and economic development. We are pleased that the number of proponents of this approach is increasing in the EU,” he said.