"The Senate will facilitate the timely ratification of the Association Agreement in order to make faster its entry into force" - stated State Minister of Georgia on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Alex Petriashvili after the meeting with the France-Caucasus Parliamentary Friendship Group members, reports GHN based on the Ministry of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.
During the meeting with the French Delegation, composed of Senator Philippe Dallier, the Executive Secretary of the France-Caucasus Parliamentary Friendship Group Véronique Bocquet, headed by the Deputy Chair of the France-Caucasus Friendship Group Alain Gournac, the sides discussed to further deepen bilateral relations between Georgia and France in political, economic and cultural spheres.
Georgia's EU integration process and perspectives was also highlighted at the meeting. The significance of signing the Association Agreement and its implementation was particulary emphasised. . Alex Petriashvili talked about the expectations for the Riga Eastern Partnership Summit in 2015. In particular, he underlined the importance of granting the EU perspective to Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova as well as the visa-free regime with the EU for Georgian citizens.
At the meeting, the security situation in the region was also discussed. The French side condemned the Russian aggression and underlined the need for an adequate response from NATO and the EU. It was also noted that Georgia has received a substantial result at the Wales Summit and now, it is necessary that the progress made by Georgia to be adequately reflected by the Alliance for achieving the NATO membership.
The French side expressed its readiness to assist Georgia in accelerating the ratification process of the Association Agreement as well as in achieving favorable results at the Riga Eastern Partnership Summit in 2015.