On 19 July, the 17th Batumi International Conference involving representatives from the European Union and Eastern Partnership states launched in Georgia. 

The conference was attended by Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, President Salome Zourabichvili, Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, European Council President Charles Michel, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and President of Moldova Maia Sandu. Two main topics were discussed at the event, namely: 1) the possible interests of the EU to engage in an enhanced integration process with Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine and 2) the EU's renewal of the traditional transatlantic dialogue and possible development scenarios thereof. 

Speaking at the conference, the EU Council President Charles Michel stated that the  Eastern partnership is the locomotive for transformation, prosperity and growth. He reviewed “impressive results” of visa liberalisation with Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, noting that more than half a million of the three countries citizens have benefited from visa-free travel so far, including EU’s support to the young generation with over 80,000 exchanges through the Erasmus plus program.

Michel said that the EU stands by the three countries in full solidarity and would support them to overcome challenges as the EU wants “stability and resilience in the interest of our citizens together with partners.” “In December we will hold the next Eastern Partnership Summit in Brussels and I promise you today that the EU will remain a strong and reliable partner for your region. We count on your commitment to advance reforms... [to please] the interest[s] of your own people and your own societies and together we must always stand up for human rights, equal rights, non-discrimination, freedom of expression and the price define who we are,” he emphasised.

The EU Council President underlined three main goals for Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, namely: 1) A huge and unprecedented economic investment package with concrete flagship initiatives for each partner country. This economic and investment plan will be supported by €2.3 billion with the potential to mobilise €17 billion in public and private investments for the region; 2) to improve the connectivity, including transport links and infrastructure, by 2030; and 3) reforms, including the promotion of the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and fighting corruption. Michel also highlighted that the meetings with the leaders of the trio was an important milestone that highlights the special ties that connect the EU with its associated partners. “And we welcome the two-year initiative to foster coordination between the associated partners and with Brussels. This can lead to the sharing of best practices on reforms, on implementation, and on a broader agenda for the future...Why not introduce competitive benchmarking on key reforms? This would help galvanise reform momentum and increase mutual support among partners and help secure your ever-closer ties with the EU,” he added. 

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili vowed Georgia’s cooperation with the EU was as energetic as ever. He stressed that despite challenges, Georgia continues to honour its commitments to European and Euro-Atlantic integration. He pledged that the Association Agreement implementation remains at the top of the government’s agenda, saying that the country is diligently continuing reforms aimed at stronger democratic institutions, legal approximation, and regulatory convergence with the EU. He added that Georgia has emerged from the pandemic with renewed strength and purpose, focused on NATO and EU membership, and doing its part to maintain regional peace and stability.

The Presidents of the trio Salome Zourabichvili, Volodymyr Zelensky and Maia Sandu also signed a joint declaration on European integration. The declaration stated that the Association Agreements with the European Union were key roadmaps for reforms and their continuous implementation. “We have a lot in common: common past, common challenges to our sovereignty and territorial integrity, common challenges to our security that can come from outside forces as well as from internal forces. But we also have in common that we do not want to return to the past, we are ready and determined to fight for our European future, to avoid the threats of polarisation inside and provocations outside,” Zourabichvili said at the signing of the document.