The FINANCIAL — Georgia is making headway in implementing a number of reforms to strengthen democracy, uphold the rule of law and bolster the economy, according to a report released on 29 November by the European External Action Service and the European Commission.
According to the findings, Georgia has implemented a number of measures required under the EU-Georgia Association Agreement, which came into force on 1 July 2016. These have consolidated democratic institutions and have helped enact a legislative framework to protect human rights and tackle discrimination.
The report underlines the benefits brought to the EU and Georgia since the start of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area in September 2014.This agreement has led to the removal of customs tariffs and quotas to bring Georgia’s trade regulations closer to EU standards.
The report also notes that Georgia successfully met all benchmarks under the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan, as evidenced by the European Commission’s proposal to the Council and the European Parliament, to lift visa obligations for Georgian citizens in March 2016.
The European Union continues to support Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders through its EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the EU Monitoring Mission.
