EU High Representative, Vice-President of the European Commission Catherine Ashton, in connection with termination of their powers sent a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Maia Panjikidze and thanked for the cooperation, reports GHN.
"My mandate as the High Representative expires and that's why I want to use possibility and thank you for amazing collaboration that lasts already years.
With joint involvement we were strengthening and deepening bilateral relations between European Union and Georgia that was crowned with the signing of Association Agreement in June," states Ashton in the letter addressed to Maia Panjikidze.
EU High Representative marks in her letter that temporary entry into force of the Association Agreement including Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area will be beneficial for European Union as well as for Georgia. "I don't have doubts that Georgia will continue the implementation its ambitious reforms of the European agenda including agenda of Association Agreement and that we in near future will see progress in liberalization of visa regime, strengthening of the rule of law and progress in independency of court system," reads the letter.
Catherine Ashton one more time confirms the support of the European Union towards territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia. ""I want to assure you that we remain firmly committed to not recognition and engagement policy. We support territorial integrity of Georgia in internationally recognized borders and also involvement of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in long term solving of the conflict," stated Ashton.
"European Union still remains as reliable and loyal partner on the way of reaching common aim of economic integration and political association of Georgia. I remember with pleasure the period of collaboration with you and wish you success in future," there is said in the letter of Catherine Ashton.
Maia Panjikidze in response to the letter thanked Ashton for personal effort on the European integration of Georgia and for support and expressed hope that she will always remain loyal friend to Georgia.
Catherine Ashton will leave the position of EU High Representative and Commission Vice-President on November 1.
The former Minister of Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini will replace her.