Otar Shamugia meets European Commissioner Várhelyi in Brussels

Georgia: The Georgian Minister of Environment and Agriculture, Otar Shamugia, met with the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Issues, Oliver Várhelyi, during a working visit to Brussels.

As noted at the meeting, after granting candidate status, the partnership between Georgia and the EU is mutually moving to a new stage, which means more ambitious plans and important commitments, which Georgia is ready for.

At the meeting, Otar Shamugia provided detailed information to the European Commissioner about recent changes in agriculture and environmental protection, progress achieved and future plans. 

According to Otar Shamugia, environmental protection and rational use of natural resources remain the most critical tasks in the country in parallel with economic development. The minister noted that necessary steps had been taken to fulfil obligations.

According to the Association Agreement, Georgia, since 2015, has been successfully approaching national legislation with EU legal acts. As of today, out of 200 legal acts of the European Union, Georgian legislation is already close to 133 legal acts. 

Georgia has had tangible progress in the priority areas described in the European Commission’s analytical conclusion published last year; therefore, the EU has properly evaluated this progress.

Otar Shamugia said, “We have already started to work on the recommendations of the European Commission conclusion, and we have created a working group that has prepared an action plan with concrete steps, responsible agencies, and necessary resources to implement the recommendations as foreseen in the European Union conclusion.” It is also underlined that candidate status provides an opportunity to start working for granting Georgia access to various EU funds and supporting instruments.” 

European commissioner Oliver Várhelyi positively assessed the reforms implemented and noted that Georgia, as a candidate country, continues to progress on European Union enlargement.

“At the meeting with Otar Shamugia, we discussed compatibility with the EU regarding agriculture and green economy. These are the key areas on Georgia’s path to the European Union. Our support will continue”, said the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Extension, Oliver Várhelyi.