EMFA
At the meeting of the members of the European Union Friends of Georgia group and the Georgian foreign minister in Luxembourg, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said that both European Union and NATO member states must clearly observe Georgia’s territorial integrity and give practical weight to the non-recognition policy of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on a daily basis.

Paet stated that the strong and visible presence of the European Union in Georgia is also necessary. “Therefore the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia is currently irreplaceable for preventing new conflicts; the mission should also have access to the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” he added.

The Estonian foreign minister stated that efforts must be made for the Organisation of Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to restore its representation in Georgia.

Estonia also confirmed its support for Georgia’s integration with the European Union and NATO. “Georgia must continue making domestic and economic reforms. Negotiations for the Association Agreement between the European Union and Georgia have begun, and soon negotiations for a free trade agreement will begin as well,” said Paet. He noted that Estonia also supports rapid progress in bringing the visa facilitation for Georgian citizens travelling to the European Union into effect.

The foreign ministers also discussed co-operation with Georgia in the framework of European Union Neighbourhood Policy and Eastern Partnership. Paet asserted that Eastern Partnership offers Georgia as well as the other Eastern Partnership countries a good opportunity to grow closer to the European Union. “For example, young Georgian diplomats are welcome at the Eastern Partnership training centre being established in Tallinn,” he added.

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