On 7 February 2014, EUGBC organized the Members’ Meeting with the State Minister of Georgia for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Alex Petriashvili. The meeting was hosted by the Information Center for EU and NATO at the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia. The Meeting was opened by the Director of the Information Center, Elene Gotsadze and the Secretary General of EUGBC, Ambassador Zviad Chumburidze. Secretary General welcomed the guests and thanked the State Minister for meeting with EUGBC members. Mr. Chumburidze informed the audience on the current and planned activities of the Council. He spoke on the following major projects: Official visit of EUGBC members – representatives of the business community in Georgia to Brussels; Establishment of the Council of Experts in EUGBC; Economic Photo Exhibition in Tbilisi and in major cities in Europe; others.

The State Minister Alex Petriashvili greeted EUGBC members and thanked the Council for offering the dialog with the business community in Georgia. Mr. Petriashvili spoke about the state of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement/DCFTA and its anticipated signature in summer.

The State Minister underlined the importance of business involvement in this important political process and stressed that the prospect of free trade with the EU – one of the largest and predictable world markets – is of vital importance to Georgia. In addition, Mr. Petriashvili spoke on his recent visits to Brussels and NATO and the implications of the European and Euro-Atlantic integration for the country and the region as a whole.

The meeting was followed by questions and lively discussion with the invited businesses.