The President: Question n 12 submitted by Olivier Dupuis (H-0752/98):

While Georgia is preparing to become a fully-fledged member of the Council of Europe, while it is faced with a serious internal conflict in Abkhazia brought in large measure about by foreign forces and interests while it diced unilaterally to bring its legislation in line wit that of the Union, while it is situated at the crossroads of the strategic (for the Union) route to Central Asia, and constitutes a privileged access to the immense oil reserves of Central Asia, Georgia does not figure on any of the lists of candidates for accession.

In view of this pronounced and evident European vocation of Georgia and the enormous economic and political stakes of this region for the EU, doesnt the Council consider that it would be in the obvious interest of the Union and politically extremely expedient and urgent to let the Georgian authorities know that an application by their country for accession to the Union would be receive the closest attention of the Union? And, if appropriate, what initiatives, if any, have already been taken by the Council in this regard?

Answer of the Council

Ferrero-Waldner, acting Council President. Mr President, Mr Deputy! In signing the partnership and cooperation agreement with Georgia on 22 April 1996, the European Union stressed the common values for which it, like Georgia, endeavours, and recognised that both sides wish to strengthen the existing ties and to expand their relations.

Furthermore, the European Union has in this connection recognised that the support of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia will contribute to maintaining peace and stability in Europe. The partnership and co-operation agreement has ushered in a regular political dialogue for bilateral, regional and international issues of interest to both sides, and corresponds fully with Georgias wish to co-operate closely with the European Institutions.

While waiting for the ratification and the coming into force of the partnership and co-operation agreement, in an effort to ensure a rapid expansion of trade relations with Georgia, on 29 April 1997 the European Community signed an interim agreement with Georgia, which came into force as of 1 September 1997. The interim agreement is geared to ensuring a rapid implementation of the trade provisions and trade-related rules of the partnership and cooperation agreement. The Council is of opinion that full potential of the partnership and co-operation agreement should be given priority, before new initiatives or agreements between the Community and Georgia are considered. (original: german)

Additional question during the debate

Dupuis (ARE). I wish to thank the Minister for her long reply, but I fear that there once again, a great deal has been done, but not the essential.

Georgia occupies a strategic position. It shares borders with a country which is not in a particularly good situation: Russia. It therefore occupies a strategic position for the Union and for certain countries, including that of the Minister; I think we could do much more, but that a political signal is needed, one that has not yet reached the ears of the Georgian authorities, one which for that matter did not reach the Yugoslavian authorities, which led to the tragedy that we all know, whereas we were informed about it already in the beginning of the 1980s.

Then there is the problem of Abkhazia in Georgia, as well as that of Ossetia; there are many problems, yes, butalso many opportunities. Azerbaijan is very close. It would be possible to come up with an ambitious plan and create a pole of stability in this region by relying on Georgia.

Doesnt the right honourable lady think that we god go a little farther, and finally turn to politics? (original: french)

Additional answer of the Council during the debate (3-209)

Ferrero-Waldner. Mr President, Mr Deputy! Please allow me first of all to stress, that an application for accession represents the manifestation of the political will of a third country to become part of a comprehensive structure such as the EU. There is no such application from Georgia at this time. Furthermore, as we are aware, it is standard practice for the European Union in its relations with third countries, first to exhaust all the possibilities offered by existing treaties, such as the partnership agreement for example, and this is by no means exhausted yet.

For all other steps, the EU must first act within the aforementioned framework, when it is a matter of developing its economic relations and expanding its co-operation with Georgia. I should also like to point out, that the Austrian Presidency has gladly engaged a new discussion, and indeed during the informal Council meeting in Salzburg, where we considered how we could establish a specific partnership with those states which had no accession prospects yet, for example, a partnership for Europe, similarly to the NATO partnership for peace. This was at the time discussed informally in the Council, but was considered premature by many and turned down. (original: german)