European Commission rep explains path to action plan
By Anna Arzanova

The Messenger, Georgia
March 7 2005

The European Commission is recommending a “significant strengthening”
of relations with Georgia through the development of an Action Plan
under the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP).

Head of the Delegation of the European Commission, Ambassador Torben
Holtze, told a press conference on March 4 that this recommendation
is based on the commission’s Country Report published on March 2.

“This process has been under preparation for already several years,
but has become active only since last year,” he stated. In June
2004, Georgia as well as Armenia and Azerbaijan, were included
in the European Neighborhood Policy as a result of a request and
recommendation made by the European Commission.

Last Wednesday the Commission released a 32-page report on Georgia,
which gives a broad summary of the political, social and economic
situation in Georgia and the state of its bilateral relations with
the European Union.

According to HE Holtze, the ENP has much deeper targets than the
existing Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to offer the prospect
of a progressively closer relationship with the European Union,
involving a significant level of economic integration and a deepening
of political cooperation.

The EU requested special reports for each country, which would
reflect the existing situation in the countries aspiring to European
integration.

“This work is now finalized and the reports are also made not only for
the Caucasus region but for those countries which are included in the
ENP,” Holtze said. The reports were presented by the Commissioner
for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy, Benita
Ferrero-Waldner last week.

In her press release, Ferrero-Waldner, commented: “The European
Neighborhood Policy gives us an opportunity to take relations with
Georgia up a gear. I very much hope that the Council will give the go
ahead to negotiate an Action Plan, so that we can work out a joint
agenda for action in the coming years. Progress in our relationship
will reflect the efforts and successes of the country itself”.

According to Ambassador Holtze, the country report concludes that
there should be progress in the development of political institutions
based on the values of democracy, the rule of law, human rights,
regional stability and cooperation in justice and internal affairs.

He added that economic and social reforms will create new
opportunities for development and modernization of Georgia, for
further liberalization of trade and for gradual participation in the
EU’s Internal Market.

Holtze described the reports as a big step forward and “the next step
will be that the report regarding the current situation in Georgia
should be approved by the Council of Ministers of the European Union,”
which will be convene on March 22.

“It is now for the Council of Ministers to decide the next steps
and it is expected this council will like this report and then the
recommendation will be given to the European Union to work out the
action plan,” Holtze said.

Action plans will be tailored for each country depending on the needs
of the country and the EU’s opinion on the country. “For Georgia,
we continue to focus on strengthening respect of rule of law, reform
of judiciary, law enforcement agencies, penitentiary, and enhanced
human rights protection,” HE Holtze stated.

Holtze also thinks that the key objectives for an Action Plan should
include strengthening of democratic structures and pluralism through
reform of Parliament, strengthening independence of media, reform of
local self government, and electoral reform.

HE Holtze also explained that it would be several months before the
EU and Georgia would have a fully prepared action plan: “We expect
that the action plan will be ready by the end of the year or in the
beginning of the next year.”

“One more aspect is improvements in the business climate as well as
public sector modernization, reform of tax and customs administrations
and legislation and strengthening the fight against corruption and
fraud,” he added.

Asked what should be more of a priority for the Georgian government –
economic development or rule of law and strengthening of the democratic
institutes – Holtze stated that one cannot exist without the other.

“It is very important that the economy develop in the country but of
course, the supremacy of law is also very important because otherwise,
it is unimaginable to attract investors to the country,” he said.