EU Reaffirms Support for Reforms in Georgia

President Saakashvili met on April 6 with Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, and Chris Patten, commissioner in charge of external relations, in Brussels.

President Prodi and Commissioner Patten reaffirmed the EU’s determination to bring Georgia closer to Europe and its support to the Georgian government’s reform programme.

In particular, the Commission expressed support to progress in the areas of democracy and Human Rights, the strengthening of the rule of law, the fight against corruption as well as the building of a free and transparent market economy.

“Following the peaceful and democratic political revolution in Georgia, the EU is determined to continue supporting Georgian efforts towards political and economic reform. This is the best way for Georgia to get closer to the Union. I trust President Saakashvili will also do his utmost to solve all pending territorial issues in Georgia trough peaceful dialogue,” President Prodi said before the meeting on April 6.

“Georgia is at a particularly crucial moment in its history. We have confidence that President Saakashvili will show the political will to lead the courageous Georgian people towards a bright and solid democratic future, in which the rule of law and a free market economy replace organised crime and corruption. The EU stands by Georgia in this quest,” Commissioner Patten added.