Peaceful resolutions of breakaway regions’ conflict non-negotiable: Garibashvili

/By AzerNews/

By Mushvig Mehdiyev

Today Georgia has considerably changed in comparison with two decades ago and the European Union (EU) has played a big role in the process by helping Georgia in terms of economic and social developments, enhancing educational and cultural cooperation and strengthening of the judicial system and human rights, said Irakli Garibashvili, Georgia’s Prime Minister, at one of the high-level meetings to discuss the European Year for Development 2015.

The meeting was initiated by Latvian Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Riga, Latvia, last week.

Garibashvili spoke about the good governance and role of the effective and responsible institutions in sustainable development of the countries, expressing his gratitude to Latvia for its firm and continuous support to Georgia in its efforts to join EU.

"We have strengthened our democratic institutions with established stronger checks and balances. Our new constitution has decentralized the executive power and created greater accountability at all levels of the government. The parliament now functions as a true legislature, as the laws are proposed, debated and amended," Garibashvili said.

He also highlighted the recently signed Association Agreement between Georgia and the EU as one of Georgia's most significant achievements in 2014.

Implementation of the Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), which is a master plan for Georgia’s European course, will ultimately transform Georgia into a fully stable and functional pluralist democracy with effective checks and balances and strong democratic institutions.

This process will also open new prospects for Georgia to gradually integrate into the EU's internal market and increase the country’s attractiveness for foreign direct investments.

Political achievements

Garibashvili said the Georgian government was undertaking a series of reforms to ensure a strong basis for an inclusive growth.

"We recently adopted a national Social Economic Development Strategy, which sets out clear priorities to achieve a sustainable and inclusive economic growth ahead of 2020," he noted.

Georgia has improved its position among the post-Soviet countries, as it has entered the list of the least corrupt countries in the world.

The World Justice Report Rule of Law Index 2014 revealed that Georgia is the strongest overall performer within Eastern Europe and Central Asia in regard to the rule of law and lack of corruption.

Economic successes

Garibashvili appreciated Georgia's progressive reforms implemented in various spheres to develop the economy.

"These reforms have made Georgia a leading country across the international rankings, including the Index of Economic Freedom by the Heritage Foundation (22nd place) and Index of Economic Freedom of the World by Fraser (16th place)," Garibashvili said.

Furthermore, he noted that Georgia has benefited greatly from the global initiatives and is fully committed to the United Nations (UN) Development Agenda.

Breakaway regions

Garibashvili said the territories and breakaway regions remain a major challenge for the government.

“A key concern is the occupation of 20 percent of our territory and consequent issues related to the internally displaced persons and refugees,” he noted.

Garibashvili added that Georgia aims to have a good relationship with all of its neighbors, but not at the expense of its sovereignty and independence.

"We have taken a number of constructive steps to deescalate tensions with Russia, but our efforts have not been met with the same spirit of cooperation. Now, it is time for the Russian government to end its occupation of Georgian territories. Peaceful resolution of the conflicts is non-negotiable," he said.

The European Year for Development 2015 was dedicated to the development of international cooperation within Europe. Latvia’s presidency of the EU Council was a pivotal period for the new global development policy, while the international community plans to agree on a new global development framework in 2015.