On 19 December 2013, the State Minister of Georgia on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Alex Petriashvili held a meeting with the Public Advisory Council on Georgia’s EU Integration in the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia. On behalf of EUGBC, Executive Director, member of the Advisory Council, Tamar Khuntsaria took part in the meeting. Mr. Petriashvili informed theCouncil members on the progress achieved with respect to Georgia’s association with the EU at the Third Eastern Partnership Summit held in Vilnius during 28-29 November. The State Minister underlined that the initialization of the Association Agreement text in Vilnius will be followed by its official signature no later than September 2014. Alex Petriashvili once again stressed the government’s strong commitment to the EU approximation and respective reforms in the country.

In addition Mr Petriashvili informed the audience that the implementation of the Communication and Information Strategy of the Government of Georgia on EU Integration for the period of 2014-2017 will actively be launched from January 2014. The State Minister emphasized that cooperation with non-governmental sector in this process will be of great importance.

Alex Petriashvili contentedly noted that business community in Georgia shows growing interest towards the prospect of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) with the EU. He underlined a very interesting and productive meeting held with the EUGBC Board Members in Brussels in the beginning of December, at which a number of aspects related to free trade with Europe were discussed. On behalf of EUGBC, Executive Director, Tamar Khuntsaria thanked the State Minister for his time and commitment to the meeting with EUGBC Board members. She expressed EUGBC’s readiness to organize another meeting in Tbilisi, involving EUGBC members and business community at large, at the State Minister’s earliest convenience.

The meeting continued with lively discussion involving the participating experts and representatives of the civil society.