Saakashvili gives high importance to visa-free regime with EU

By AzerNews

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili stated that establishment of a visa-free regime with EU countries is of vital importance for Georgia.

"No matter how strained the relations between the parties in Georgia may have been, the country will continue moving to Europe," Saakashvili said at the joint press conference with the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström in Tbilisi on Monday.

According to Saakashvili, Georgia has done much to establish a visa-free regime with the EU and the students now enjoy an opportunity to study in Europe.

"Furthermore, biometric passports have been issued, and Europe has no complaints to Georgia concerning the crime," Saakashvili said.

However, Saakashvili noted that there is still much to do, adding that the first results of the conducted work will appear in next year.

In turn, Malmström said that the Georgian citizens will have a big effect with the establishment of visa-free regime.

"Georgia achieved great success, including the improvement of the legislative base in 2012. It is important to continue the reforms. We must fight against organized delinquency, corruption, and crime. President and prime minister have to contribute to the adoption of pragmatic solutions. This is very important for Georgia's international reputation," Malmström said

During the briefing, Saakashvili also touched upon the Russian-Georgian relations, saying that Russia will never cede to Georgia, especially on Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

"I have personally proposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin shift of geopolitical orientation in exchange of Abkhazian and South Ossetian territories. However, he told me personally, that Russia does not change our territories on our geo-strategic aspirations," the President said.

He went on saying that he has voiced this issue at least 50 times, but the answer was always the same.

"Unfortunately, I have heard from some young people: let's abandon the EU and NATO, but return Abkhazia and Tskhinvali. Unfortunately, Russia voluntarily has never ceded to anyone, this is a matter of history," Saakashvili added.

Large scale military actions were launched in South Ossetia in Georgia on August 8, 2008.
Later, Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military. Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia late in August. Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow in response and has declared the two unrecognized republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied territories.

The Georgian President also urged the new government to preserve freedom of the press, as well as the coexistence of parties. "This will give Georgia an opportunity to get associate membership at the Vilnius summit ," he added.

The third Eastern Partnership Summit will be held in Vilnius on November 28-29. The EU and Georgia are expected to conclude Association Agreement at the Vilnius summit.

"It is very important to get to Vilnius Summit in good shape. Good shape means that Georgia will maintain an independent judiciary and independent media. Nobody should touch on these key factors of our democracy. Georgia had some level of cooperation between the parties and stability. This is our way to the Vilnius summit. Our only way is the way to Europe. We have no other way," Saakashvili said.

In turn, Malmström said that it is very difficult to say what decision will be taken at the Vilnius summit on Georgia.

According to Malmström, it will mainly depend on the activities of the Georgian government, parliament and president. She said that this will be a very important summit, but the processes, preceding and following it, will be of more importance.