Georgia hopes to start FTA talks with EU soon - Saakashvili
TBILISI. Nov 16 (Interfax) - Georgia hopes to start negotiations on a free trade agreement with the European Union as soon as possible, President Mikheil Saakashvili said.
"This issue is very important to Georgia's economy. We hope to start such negotiations within the coming weeks. We are also working on visa-free travel for Georgian citizens in Europe. The resolution of these issues will take a lot of time," Saakashvili said at a joint news conference with European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton on Wednesday.
Saakashvili thanked the EU for firmly adhering to the policy of non-recognition of "the occupied Georgian regions."
"The European Parliament will vote on a resolution on Georgia tomorrow. This is a very important resolution, which envisions confirmation of the term 'occupation of Georgian territories' at the European political level," Saakashvili said.
Ashton said at the same news briefing that a free trade agreement would be very important to both Georgia and to Europe. She also said she hoped such negotiations with Georgia would be started within a few weeks.
Ashton also thanked the Georgian leadership for its constructive position in completing negotiations on Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).