Georgia and the European Union
- Georgia and the European Union
Georgia and the European Union have maintained positive relations over the years, and it is widely considered to be the closest ally and most likely of future candidate to the EU of the three Caucasus states.Fact|date=February 2008
Background
With Georgia having recently undergone substantial reforms, President Mikhail Saakashvili has expressed his desire to see membership in the European Union as a long term priority. Links to the EU, USA and NATO have been strengthened, with attempts being made to move away from the Russian sphere of influence while attempting to advance co-operation with Russia. [ [http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/georgia/intro/index.htm redirect ] ] Territorial disputes continue over South Ossetia and Abkhazia. In Adjara, a significant hurdle in protecting the territorial integrity of the country was overcome when the authoritarian leader Aslan Abashidze was forced to resign in May 2004. Recently EU CFSP Chief Javier Solana has indicated the EU could send troops to Georgia alongside Russian forces. [ [http://euobserver.com/9/23579 Solana raises prospect of EU soldiers in Georgia] EU Observer]
On 2 October 2006, a joint statement on the agreed text of the Georgia-European Union Action Plan within the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) was issued. The Action Plan was formally approved at the EU-Georgia Cooperation Council session on 14 November 2006 in Brussels. [ [http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=13747 EU, Georgia Sign ENP Action Plan] , "Civil Georgia", 2 October 2006.]
Georgia is considered the most favoured Caucasus country to join the EU, especially after the Rose Revolution, but territorial disputes and corruption are still an issue. Though Georgia has not yet formally applied for EU membership, President Saakashvili has said the country would be ready in three years' time— it is uncertain if the EU is prepared to offer membership on this or an alternative schedule.
ee also
*Enlargement of the European Union
**Foreign relations of the European Union
**Armenia and the European Union
**Azerbaijan and the European Union
**Moldova and the European Union
**Ukraine and the European Union
References
External links
* [http://www.delgeo.ec.europa.eu/ The European Commission's Delegation to Georgia]
Wikimedia Foundation.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
Ukraine and the European Union — According to the European parliament, the EU is seeking an increasingly close relationship with Ukraine, going beyond cooperation, to gradual economic integration and deepening of political cooperation. [ [http://ec.europa.eu/external… … Wikipedia
Armenia and the European Union — have maintained positive relations over the years. Background Armenia, a Christian nation located at the juncture of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, has deep cultural and historical connections with Europe, including an old and extensive… … Wikipedia
Moldova and the European Union — Moldova currently aspires to join the European Union [ [http://www.moldpres.md/default.asp?Lang=en ID=68715 Moldova will prove that it can and has chances to become EU member] , Moldpress News Agency, June 19, 2007]… … Wikipedia
Azerbaijan and the European Union — have maintained positive relations over the years.BackgroundEU relations with Azerbaijan are governed by the EU–Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement signed in 1996 and entered into force in 1999.Following the enlargement of the… … Wikipedia
Microstates and the European Union — The five European microstates Andorra … Wikipedia
Special member state territories and the European Union — Map of European Union in the world (with overseas countries and territories (OCT) and outermost regions (OMR)) Several European Union member states have special territories which, for historical, geographical, or political reasons, enjoy special… … Wikipedia
Special Member State territories and the European Union — Map of European Union in the worldlegend|#078002|Overseas countries and territoriesAs of 2007 the European Union has 27 member states, most of which participate in all EU policy areas and programs or have signed up to do so. However EU law does… … Wikipedia
Northern Cyprus and the European Union — EU Northern Cypriot relations European Union … Wikipedia
Third-country relationships with the European Union — The European Union third country relationships are dealt with through different legal instruments, institutions and departments. Topics related to the Community (first pillar) agenda are dealt through the European Commission they relate mostly to … Wikipedia
Enlargement of the European Union — The territories of the member states of the European Union (European Communities pre 1993), animated in order of accession. Territories outside of the European neighbourhood not shown. The Enlargement of the European Union is the process of… … Wikipedia
