BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17
Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
The development of shipping between the ports of Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine is being discussed, said Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava, Trend reports via Georgina media.
As she noted, the European Union (EU) pledges full support for boosting ferry traffic between Georgian-Bulgarian-Romanian and Ukrainian ports.
"We have raised several economic issues at the 6th EU-Georgia Association Committee meeting and we have received full support from the EU. First of all, we discussed the development of ties on the Black Sea that will connect us with European states. In particular, there is talk of further development of traffic on the Black Sea between the ports of Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine", said Turnava.
Turnava said that the EU promised its support to solve this issue and help Georgia create an action plan.
"The EU is 'our number one trade partner' but traffic between 'our ports is not regular and does not correspond to the dynamics and pace we need', she said.
The EU has also acknowledged Georgia's request for assistance in developing and implementing a plan to improve its Black Sea connectivity.
"The Association Council reaffirmed Georgia's role as one of Europe's key partners in Europe's energy security, and in particular noted the country's transit role in supplying Caspian hydrocarbons to EU markets, via the Southern Gas Corridor and the Black Sea, which will strengthen EU-Georgia connectivity", reads the joint press-release of the Georgia-EU Association Council meeting.
The press-release also reads that the EU and Georgia have agreed to identify Georgian products with export potential to the EU and to help local companies better conquer the EU market and enter the EU market easier.
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