Georgia, Tbilisi, Nov. 16 / Trend N. Kirtskhalia /
Georgia and the EU will start negotiations on the free trade regime in the coming weeks, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said at a joint press conference with the EU high representative for foreign and security policy Catherine Ashton in Tbilisi today.
"We will conduct negotiations on comprehensive free trade," he said.
Saakashvili said that at this stage of Georgia's development, this agreement is vital as it is the European market can contribute to further development of Georgian economy.
"Despite the current crisis in Europe, the market is the most important for us," he said. "We want our products to appear on the European market."
Ashton stressed that the Georgian side made a "big step" to introduce free trade regime toward the EU, bringing its legislation in compliance with the relevant standards.
"We are pleased with Georgia's efforts in this direction," she said. "Both Georgia and the EU need this regime. This is in the interests of both sides."
Ashton thanked Georgia for reaching the WTO agreement with Russia.
"This agreement opens up new prospects for trade relations between the EU and Russia," she said. "It will make this country a participant in the international trade relations."