EU launches free trade area talks with Georgia and Moldova

05-12-2011

The EU has decided to launch negotiations on a deep and comprehensive free trade area with Georgia and Moldova in order to boost economic growth and investment with the Eastern European partners. A press release said the talks would tackle a broad range of trade and economic issues so as to achieve a closer economic integration with the EU. The parties will now engage in preparations for the first negotiating round to take place in early 2012.The first negotiating round is due to take place in early 2012.

"We want to establish a stable and solid framework for closer economic ties with Georgia and Moldova," said EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, adding: "A deep and comprehensive free trade area will help Georgia and Moldova to become more competitive and enjoy the benefits of the EU Single Market."

"This kind of economic integration is one of the cornerstones of our relations with countries of Eastern Partnership," Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule said. "Moldova and Georgia have achieved sufficient progress with the necessary reforms and have fulfilled a set of conditions to be able to proceed further in the gradual economic integration with the EU internal market,” said Fule.

The future free trade areas will be part of the Association Agreement, under negotiation with Georgia and Moldova since July 2010 and January 2010, in the framework of the Eastern Partnership and the European Neighbourhood Policy.

These free trade areas are expected to diversify and strengthen both countries’ export capacity and “effectively open the EU market of 500 million consumers,” the press release said. (ENPI Info Centre)