“Your choice is Europe” - Exclusive interview with EU Ambassador to Georgia Janos Herman
Exclusive interview with EU Ambassador Janos Herman of Georgia’s European path, implementation of Association Agreement, “GE2020” government strategy plan and more
– Let’s start with the most important recent political developments in Georgia. Ex-Defense minister Alasania amounted his removal to an attack on European course, European path of Georgia. What do you think, can one political person’s removal from the post affect the European course? What would you say is the main dictating notion on our path to European integration?
– I don’t think that changes in the composition of the government or limited personnel changes have a major effect on Georgia’s European choice. This choice is supported by the overwhelming majority of the Georgian people, who have been voting consistently for those parties which declare backing the European course. In a democratic society, changes in the composition of the government or the governing coalition happen relatively frequently. We highly value the work of the persons who left the government recently. Nevertheless, I think that what happened was at the level of what we could call everyday politics, rather than at the level of the country’s strategic choice. However, whenever such changes occur, it is very important to clarify their real effects as quickly as possible.
– Can this kind of political infighting harm Georgia’s reputation worldwide and specifically, within the EU? Would foreign investors till eager to invest in a country where parties are fighting over “who has the right to steer the European course?” What kind of effects does all this have on the country’s economic stability?
– We have been following closely, how international opinion about Georgia has evolved in the last weeks. It is of course important to maintain the good standing and the image of stability. So if there are doubts affecting this image, they have to be dissipated. As far as the EU is concerned, the answer is simple: our association process goes ahead with full speed, as proven by the successful EU-Georgia Association Council, which took place some days ago. I am sure this carries a positive message for investors and the economy as a whole.
It is relevant to point out what the Association Agreement is about. It is a detailed programme for making reality your European choice. It is about Georgia, rather than anything else. If implemented, it will gradually transform this country into a stable democracy with sound economic foundations and efficient institutions. It will make Georgia stronger through absorbing European values and principles as well as building up the mechanisms by which they work. As it is set out in the Agreement, the European Union will provide significant support for that. You see that the Agreement contains wide-ranging obligations on both parts and its implementation will therefore imply closer scrutiny by the European Union.
– In comparison with other association documents Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine agreements are more detailed, as you mentioned it’s more than one thousand pages. How long will the implementation process take and what are the challenges, obstacles that Georgia will face?
– First of all, regarding the timeline: this is a vast transformation and it will take time, no one knows exactly, how much. As I have just said: this is a program that will take your country very far. I don’t want to speak about what would be beyond but I am ready to speak about what will be the result: Our political association and economic integration, as they go forward, will provide growing benefits and opportunities for all Georgians.
– As you mentioned it will take time. Let’s discuss a practical example. Take a regular Georgian farmer, who produces cheese, it will probably take ten years for him to adapt to those European standards. How do you expect him to choose between the long term future and the direct competition? How would you make easier for Georgians to decide what is more beneficial for them?
– Of course you cannot expect to be successful without becoming more competitive and looking at what goes on in the global market. But I understand the genuine issue and the dilemma behind your question. Many of the reforms bring real benefits only at a later stage. Part of the response is that, together with your government, we are now in the process of designing concrete steps and support programs for people in the rural areas. We should be clear about costs and benefits and provide ample information about what we are doing, and why we are doing it. In the context of EU goals and support, I see this as one of my major tasks. At present, our grant assistance to Georgia is in the range of one hundred million euros each year and we try to provide additional grants. New programmes will come up. During the Association Council, the Prime Minister of Georgia and the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement signed a document on granting regional assistance for 30 million euros. There are major loans provided by the European financial institutions supporting key investments in the infrastructure area. We have a close dialogue with the Georgian government about how to guide these processes. It is necessary to ensure that these grants and investments are implemented efficiently. We are also eager to help Georgian institutions to cope with the administrative burden the association process involves.
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