President Van Rompuy met with the Prime Minister of Georgia, Merabishvili, on his first
visit to Brussels, and congratulated him on his recent appointment in the Office. The
President recalled his visit to Georgia last July, and expressed his wish to working together
on a very intense agenda at a critical time for Georgia.
The President recalled the impressive recent developments in Georgia where more efficient
institutions have been built and improved services to citizens have been delivered with the
help of the EU. In this regard he recalled that in the spirit of the "more for more" policy,
the EU has intensified its support through additional €22 million of assistance under the
new Eastern Partnership Integration and Cooperation programme.
The objective to complete next year the negotiations on a new Association Agreement with
a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement was also stressed.
The President and the Prime Minister agreed that the good momentum in the bilateral
relations should help Georgia to continue its modernization, and to complete the transition
from the Rose Revolution and to consolidate democracy.
The President of the European Council underlined that the parliamentary elections in
October would be crucial in terms of democratic development, stressing the importance to
ensure a proper electoral framework and voicing some concern with growing tension in the
pre-electoral environment.
He also made clear that the EU shares the strong interest in the resolution of the conflicts
regarding the Georgian breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and firmly
supports Georgia's territorial integrity. He reassured that the EU will remain fully engaged
in a central role in the Geneva international discussions and through the EU Monitoring
Mission.
The President encouraged the government to look for further pragmatic and constructive
steps to enhance its reconciliation and conflict resolution efforts with the breakaway
regions. The EU and Georgia share the interest to open these isolated societies to
modernization and development. He stressed that "the benefits from getting closer to the
EU - higher standards, free trade, investment and visa liberalization - should reach the
whole population, including those divided by conflict.". President Van Rompuy and Prime
Minister Merabishvili agreed to remain in contact.

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