The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili, stated that the European Integration Commission approved the action plan in relation to the recommendations issued by the European Commission.
As he told journalists after the Commission session on November 27, they will continue to coordinate with the European Commission in accordance with the action plan.
“The 70th session of the European Integration Commission of Georgia was held. As it is known, the European Integration Commission is headed by the Prime Minister of Georgia. This Commission includes representatives of the state agencies that participate in the European integration process of Georgia.
The European Integration Commission is one of the effective mechanisms. An effective mechanism for us to be able to effectively implement the reforms that are on the agenda with the European Union. Accordingly, the most important decision was made today regarding the fact that the Commission adopted an action plan in relation to specific recommendations issued by the European Commission, and we will continue to coordinate with the European Commission in accordance with this agenda and this action plan. This is a document that sets out specific dates and periods during which we will take specific steps. One of the main spirits of this document is that the government of Georgia, the ruling team expresses its readiness to cooperate very actively with all interested parties, relevant platforms will be created, work will continue on the discussion platforms opened by us recently, in order to bring common interests closer, in order to reconcile positions regarding various reforms of our country with various political groups and as a result of working in these platforms, reforms should be implemented in order to ensure inclusiveness as much as possible. Inclusivity has always been an issue that we have always raised, and we still have the willingness and interest to make these reforms as inclusive as possible, because that is of particular importance.
Based on this agenda and the action plan that was approved today, we will continue to actively work and communicate with our European partners in order to continue the agenda of reforms in Georgia, because we believe that this is a continuous, important process, because reforms are not carried out in one year. This is a long-term effort of the government to bring the country closer to the European family as much as possible, both institutionally and legislatively, and this is our task, one of the main tasks that we have on the agenda,” said the Minister.
Darchiashvili noted that the action plan regarding the deoligarchization recommendation was also approved at today’s government meeting.
“At today’s government session, the action plan corresponding to the deoligarchization law was approved. We created this document a few weeks ago, so to speak, before the recommendations of the European Commission. This document is very large-scale and in-depth, which determines the sequence of the implementation of reforms in the direction of deoligarchization, including, in terms of time; we know that there are many complex processes behind this legislation and this reform. This refers to the justice system, the improvement of Georgia’s legislative space in the anti-corruption direction, concrete steps to be taken in the direction of competition, and many in-depth, complex reforms. Therefore, today’s decision and this document adopted by the Government of Georgia will be another mechanism by which we will maintain a very active dynamic in the direction of our European integration,” said Darchiashvili.
Pawel Herczynski, EU Ambassador to Georgia, confirmed that the Georgian government approved an action plan for the recommendation fulfilment and had submitted it to the European Commission.
“As I have said many times, very openly and honestly, I am an optimist. That is why I am here in Georgia, trying to be part of the Georgian success. As we all know, on November 8, the European Commission gave a positive assessment when it comes to candidate status. Now, the EU’s 27 member states will discuss and decide on December 14-15, and I am really happy that the authorities have acted at lightning speed.
I can confirm that the action plan discussed and agreed upon by the government yesterday has already been transmitted to the European Commission. The EC colleagues will have a very close look and will provide feedback. I am very happy that these exchanges are taking place in order not to waste time but to make sure that the reforms are moving in the right direction so that after receiving candidate status in mid-December, Georgia can move to the next steps as quickly as possible to catch up with Ukraine and Moldova,” he said.
