PM Kobakhidze says Georgia remains committed to European integration, cites 90% implementation rate

Georgia’s implementation rate of the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) has now exceeded 90%, up from approximately 60-65% three years ago, demonstrating the country’s strong commitment to European integration, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Tuesday.

Kobakhidze noted that Georgia had consistently fulfilled its obligations under the agreements, adding that the progress achieved reflected the government’s commitment to the European integration process.

“As for the Association Agreement and the DCFTA, the implementation rate exceeds 90%. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can provide you with detailed information on this. We have consistently fulfilled our respective obligations. Approximately three years ago, the implementation rate stood at 60-65%, whereas it now exceeds 90%, demonstrating our serious commitment to European integration”, he said.

Turning to other requirements, Kobakhidze recalled the 12 priorities and the subsequent nine steps, noting that the opposition had declined to participate in the relevant discussions and working groups, while the government had continued its work.

“As for the other steps, you will recall the 12 priorities and the nine steps. The opposition did not join the relevant discussions or working groups, but we continued working consistently”, he said.

The Prime Minister added that his government had refused to implement only two points, which he said concerned undermining judicial independence through so-called vetting and transferring control of the Central Election Commission to what he described as foreign agents.

“These were the only two points we did not implement. We worked seriously on the remaining points and achieved the respective results. Accordingly, our commitment is serious. The rest depends on the European bureaucracy itself and the steps it takes. We remain open to dialogue and hope that they, too, will take steps towards Georgia and the Georgian people”, Kobakhidze concluded.