OREANDA-NEWS. September 17, 2013. Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili today discussed relations between Estonia and Georgia, developments in Georgia and the European Union Eastern Partnership at a meeting in the Stenbock House.

Prime Minister Ansip affirmed that Georgia has always been an important partner for Estonia, a partner whose developments matter to us, and Estonia continues to support Georgia’s endeavours towards joining the European Union and NATO.

“We support a democratically developing Georgia and its European integration,“ said Prime Minister Ansip at the meeting. According to him, Georgia has done well in cooperating with international and non-governmental organisations towards integration with NATO and the European Union as well as carrying on with reforms, and the chosen course has the backing of the Georgian society. “We know from our own experience that the best way to affiliate with the West is through the country’s speedy, democratic development,“ he said.

Prime Minister Ansip also assured that Estonia supports Georgia’s territorial integrity and freedom of choice in their foreign and security policy decisions. “It is important for all other countries to do the same,” Ansip said.

Talking about the European Union Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius, the prime minister expressed his hope for signing the association agreement this autumn and taking the following steps thereafter. “We would like to see the agreement signed during the term of office of the current composition of the European Commission,” Ansip said. “Georgia can count on Estonia’s support,” he added.

Economic cooperation between the two countries was another topic that was addressed at the meeting. It was concluded that considering our good relations, the trade volumes between Estonia and Georgia are still overly modest. The discussions also touched upon the good cultural relations illustrated by the participation of Georgian opera troupes at the Saaremaa opera festival in June.

At the meeting, the prime minister assured that Estonia has in the past supported and will continue through its assistance programmes to support the strengthening of Georgia’s government authorities and Georgia’s economic integration.