In Tbilisi Danish, Polish, Swedish FMs Pledge Support to Georgia’s European Path

From left to right: Danish Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard; Georgian Foreign Minister Tamar Beruchashvili; Polish Foreign Minister Grzegorz Schetyna and Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström, Tbilisi, April 14, 2015. Photo: Georgian MFA

On their joint visit to Tbilisi foreign ministers of Denmark, Poland and Sweden reiterated support to Georgia’s European integration process and stressed on the need to continue reforms.

Martin Lidegaard of Denmark, Grzegorz Schetyna of Poland and Margot Wallström of Sweden are holding talks with Georgian leadership, as well as parliamentary opposition and civil society representatives in Tbilisi on April 14.

The visit comes less than six weeks before the EU’s Eastern Partnership summit in Riga, where Tbilisi wants the EU to pave the way for Georgia’s visa-free travel with the Schengen area.

While the foreign ministers of the three countries voiced their countries’ political support towards visa liberalisation with Georgia, they stressed that the final decision will depend on the European Commission’s report, which is expected to be presented before the Riga summit and which will detail how Georgia is fulfilling its reform commitments under the visa liberalisation action plan – a set of detailed requirements that a country should meet in order to be granted short-term visa-free regime in the Schengen area.

Speaking at a joint news conference after meeting the Georgian counterpart Tamar Beruchashvili, Danish Foreign Minister, Martin Lidegaard, for whom it’s third visit to Georgia since last April, said: “We know that you have a big desire to get the visa liberalisation done before the Riga summit.”

“Today we cannot promise it will happen, but from our side we will do whatever we can to assist you in that process,” he said.

“From the political point of view we are supportive for visa liberalisation,” Lidegaard said, adding that the final decision should be made based on the European Commission’s report.

Swedish Foreign Minister, Margot Wallström, said that her country supports visa liberalisation for Georgia, but said that there has to be “realistic expectations” from the Riga summit.

Wallström said that all the benchmarks set in Georgia’s visa liberalisation action plan should be met.

“We understand from what we hear that there are still some reforms necessary in the judiciary and when it comes to migration; that’s why we are signaling that there has to be realistic expectations, but we also appreciate the efforts that have been made,” the Swedish Foreign Minister said.

Foreign Minister of Poland Grzegorz Schetyna said his country is supportive, but it’s up to Georgia to implement its reforms. “We are optimistic,” he said. “We hope that the Riga summit will be the milestone for the Eastern Partnership and for Georgia especially.”

If Georgia’s progress is assessed positively and the European Commission recommends the lifting of visa requirements, it must then be approved by the European Parliament and the EU-member states before it comes into force.

Speaking at the joint news conference after talks with the Georgian counterpart, the Swedish Foreign Minister said that while this visit is demonstration of “friendship and support”, “we also come with some demands” when it comes to the EU integration process.

“We are hoping that your process and reforms for EU integration will mean that you look more to the future than to the past, that you will continue all your important efforts, that you create democratic, transparent institutions that are held accountable to the people and we ask for reform of judiciary as an example. But we also offer our cooperation… You can count on us in helping you to do whatever we ask you to do to come closer to the European Union,” Margot Wallström said.

The Danish Foreign Minister said that this joint visit is a demonstration of support for Georgia’s “journey” to the European integration.

“We acknowledge all the steps you have taken on your journey,” Lidegaard said.

“It is also clear that there are still barriers on your journey – some of them are put from outside,” he said and condemned violation of Georgia’s territorial integrity; he also noted the need for reforms, including in the judiciary.

The Georgian and Polish foreign ministers signed a bilateral memorandum on launching “Tbilisi Conference” – a platform for providing Warsaw’s further support to Georgia and sharing Poland’s experience of European integration. The Polish Foreign Minister said that this year the format will start by sharing experience in implementing the Association Agreement and deep and comprehensive free trade treaty with the EU and the focus will also be made on the justice system reform. Schetyna said that this format of sharing experience sends “a clear message of our support for Georgia’s EU membership aspirations.”

Asked about Georgia’s EU membership perspective, the Danish Foreign Minister responded that Georgia should not expect it at the Riga summit.

“That’s too early,” Lidegaard said, adding that at this stage Georgia should fulfill the Association Agreement.

The Swedish Foreign Minister said: “I think it is extremely important that the European Union keeps membership option open… especially for the Eastern Partnership [countries].”

The foreign ministers of the three countries also met civil society representatives and leaders of opposition United National Movement and Free Democrats parties. They will also meet on President Giorgi Margvelashvili, PM Irakli Garibashvili and parliament speaker Davit Usupashvili.

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