Georgian minister says EU should not ignor Eastern side of Europe

The EU should move faster on free trade agreements and negotiations for visa-free travel with Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova, which are ‘inexpensive’ policies that can be pursued in times of austerity as funding priorities shift to the southern neighbourhood, Georgi Baramidze, Georgia’s minister responsible for EU and Nato affairs said.
“Obviously the African and Mediterranean neighbours are important for the EU. But we argue that it’s in EU’s own interest to make Europe whole and free. And this cannot be without finishing business in the eastern part of Europe,” Baramidze said.

Following his trip to Brussels before Easter break, Baramidze said that giving Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova a ‘roadmap’ for visa-free travel and kicking off negotiations for a ‘deep and comprehensive’ free trade area (DCFTA) were promised through the Eastern Partnership policy and do not require much funding.