Georgia, Tbilisi, July 4 /Trend N.Kirtzkhalia/
The continuation of reforms in Georgia is a condition of Georgian integration into European structures, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said at a joint press conference with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili. The press conference was held after the meeting between Mikheil Saakashvili and Herman Van Rompuy behind closed doors at the Presidential Palace.
"Georgia has achieved a great progress in relations with the EU, as evidenced by the negotiations on a comprehensive free trade, visa-free regime and associate membership initiated between the EU and Georgia. Georgia can be proud of what it was able to achieve in such a short period of time, but the continuation of reforms is a necessary condition for European integration," Van Rompuy said.
The Georgian President, in turn, noted that Georgia is a "European country by its principles and values." Georgia sees itself only in a single European family and the ongoing negotiations with the EU have already indicated that we have made serious progress in this direction," Saakashvili said.
The Georgian President also said Georgia and the EU will be able to complete negotiations on these issues for a half year and the process of European integration will be irreversible.