Georgia Set for EU Associate Membership Talks

Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili and First Lady Sandra Roelofs. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Georgia will begin talks for acquiring an associate membership of the European Union, its President Mikheil Saakashvili has announced.

The talks will start on July 15 when a high-ranking EU delegation will arrive to Tbilisi, Saakashvili said during a meeting of Georgia’ Security Council.

"This is a historic moment in the life of our country, as the associated relationships enable us to achieve greater development in economic terms, and in terms of democratization", he said.

On the President’s initiative, Georgia has appointed a new Deputy Foreign Minister, Tornike Gordadze, who will be charge of the negotiations with the EU.

Saakashvili also declared that Georgia should be holding talks with the European Union on a free trade agreement, and said he hoped for a relaxation of the EU visa regime for Georgian citizens.

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