'Georgia will continue its cooperation with the EU'

Candidate for State Minister of Georgia on European and Euro-Atlantic integration Alexi Petriashvili said that the former regime has created excessive expectations among the population over the introduction of a visa-free regime with the EU. He mentioned the matter at the conference of the National Platform of the civil forum Eastern Partnership.

"Such meetings are important. We welcome the active involvement of the nongovernmental sector and agree to cooperate closely. Development of civil society is essential for the EU," Petriashvili said.

He noted that Georgia will continue its cooperation with the EU in the framework of the Association Agreement, free trade and visa-free communication.

"It should be noted that the expectations which were created by the authority regarding the establishment of a visa-free communication with the EU by the end of next year do not correspond to reality, but the process will move forward. Serious work will be carried out in this regard," Petriashvili said.

He noted that the situation with the agreement on free trade and association is much more favourable and possibly the process will be completed by the end of next year.

Parliamentary elections with the participation of 14 parties and two political blocks took place in Georgia on October 1. The elections were held by a mixed list majority system.

According to the CEC's complete preliminary data, the Georgian Dream coalition will have 83 deputy mandates, while United National Movement - 67.

The leader of election winning Georgian Dream Bidzina Ivanishvili has previously presented the candidates for ministers for approval in new government.

Ivanishvili himself is going to take the post of prime minister.

Parliament will have more power when the president's powers will be reduced following constitution amendments in 2013.


/Trend/