"Since independence, European integration has been not only the goal of foreign policy, but also the driving force in building and development of a democratic state. Georgia’s EU integration is one of the priority areas amongst the 10 Major Challenges, which the Parliament introduced prior to the autumn session”, - the Chair of the EU Integration Committee, Tamar Khulordava stated at today's briefing.

As she estimated, one of the topics that is being actively elaborated on is related to Georgia's EU integration and EaP policy, which turned to 10 this year.

“We currently exercise so close relationship with EU today that we could not have imagined 10 years ago. We enjoy the EUAA, DCFTA and visa liberalization, we participate in projects that are available only for EU member states. The integration process is moving forward, but we are looking even further”, - the Chair of the Committee noted.

According to her, Georgian Parliament is actively involved with its partners in a newly launched EU project, which includes comprehensive considerations on the future of the EaP - "We wish for our national interests, our aspirations to be taken into account as much as possible in shaping the future visions of the EaP”, - Tamar Khulordava commented.

For this purpose, the EU Integration Committee has drafted and submitted to Parliament a Resolution on the "Ten Years Anniversary and Future Vision of the EaP".

"This document, on the one hand, marks the progress we have made in ten years’ time of co-operation, and on the other hand, it bespeaks of the necessary steps to be assumed in the coming years. We hold far-reaching, ambitious plans including EU integration to our priority. We will adhere to all instruments, all the mechanisms of cooperation for the proper integration of Georgia into the EU family. We wish to set specific intermediate goals from associates to membership”, - the Chair of the Committee noted.

According to her, Georgia offers EU institutions, EU member states to take into account the ambitions and priorities of the partner countries so that, on the one hand, the Georgian authorities, as well as the other partners, maintain the spark and strong political interest in EU integration and on the other hand, encourage the public to further support this process.

“It is necessary for the EU to take specific countermeasures. We urge the EU to bear in mind that the EaP countries lack common visions, including on foreign policy priorities, as they are at various stages of reform. Accordingly, a prominent, differentiated approach is needed to ensure the interests of all partners in this collaboration are taken into account. For us and other associated members - Ukraine and Moldova, the goals of EU integration are far reaching, so the resolution sets out separate proposals to develop policies for these three countries", - Tamar Khulordava commented.

As she elucidated, the resolution also reflected the appeal for financial support to the strengthening and implementation of infrastructure and sundry, which will facilitate the transport, energy, tourism potential, economic, trade and the utilization of various capacities in the EaP countries, as well as for the labor market C opens opportunities for our citizens.

According to Tamar Khulordava, one of the key issues concerns the increased support and assistance to the security sector. "This is a very troublesome challenge for many EaP countries, especially for Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova. Five out of six countries are practically in conflict. Therefore, it is very important that the future vision of EaP policy focuses particularly on defense and security policy. Ensuring stability and security in our region guarantees the stability and security of EU", - the Chair of the EU Integration Committee stated.

The Chair noted that the resolution underlines Georgia's priority issues in terms of the national interests of the country and in addition to EU institutions and member states, the it also calls on the Georgian authorities to direct their efforts towards EU integration.

"The resolution copes directly with the most sensitive issues of the country, including: conflict resolution, security, occupied territories, de-occupation. We appeal to the EU to step up and increase its participation, including with regard to the ceasefire agreement with Russia", - Tamar Khulordava noted.

The document has been submitted to the Parliament and will be discussed next week. The Chair of the EU Integration Integration Committee hoped that the document will be backed by both the ruling party and the Parliamentary opposition - “I hope this will be perceived as a common document. Unity on the issue of Georgia's EU integration is a very significant signal and helps us to accomplish our ambitions towards the foreign policy”, - T. Khulordava stated.