Tbilisi, 28 June 2022
9th EU-Georgia Civil Society Platform Meeting
On the 28th of June, an EU coordinator of Working Group 4 of the EaP CSF Sintija Bernava took part in the 9th meeting of the EU-Georgia Civil Society Platform that took place in Tbilisi.
The EU-Georgia Civil Society Platform (CSP) is one of the bodies set up under the Association Agreement between the European Union and Georgia. It enables civil society organisations from both sides to monitor the implementation process and draw up recommendations for submission to the relevant authorities. The ninth meeting of the CSP was convened on 28 June in Tbilisi.
Mr Carl Hartzell, Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, underlined, that Georgia being granted a European Perspective is a historic achievement in terms of looking at the evolution of Georgia’s path towards the EU.
During the meeting, an exchange with Georgian and EU authorities was held to assess the European perspective of Georgia and the implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement/DCFTA. Furthermore, the participants discussed the economic and social impact of the war in Ukraine on Georgia and the EU, the role of civil society in the post-war recovery and human rights in the face of war and crisis. A joint declaration, prepared by both sides, was discussed and adopted.
Further, the participants discussed Georgias government backsliding on its European path, notably on the judiciary and democratic consolidation, and openly in conflict with EU, CoE, OSCE and US assessments.
It was also mentioned, that the negotiations of the EU-Georgia Association Agenda 2021-2027, setting priorities for cooperation based on the Association Agreement, have been concluded, and the adoption by the Association Council through written procedure is upcoming.
Finally, it was underlined that the EU continues to support Georgia with various other cooperation instruments such as technical assistance, access to finance programmes, etc.