BETA


2017/2282(INI) Implementation of the EU association agreement with Georgia

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead AFET MAMIKINS Andrejs (icon: S&D S&D) ŠTĚTINA Jaromír (icon: PPE PPE), TANNOCK Timothy Charles Ayrton (icon: ECR ECR), NART Javier (icon: ALDE ALDE), HARMS Rebecca (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE), CASTALDO Fabio Massimo (icon: EFDD EFDD)
Committee Opinion INTA KATAINEN Elsi (icon: ALDE ALDE)
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 54

Events

2019/03/11
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2018/11/14
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2018/11/14
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 528 votes to 97, with 34 abstentions, a resolution on the implementation of the EU Association Agreement with Georgia.

Parliament welcomed the sustained reform track and progress made in implementing the AA and the DCFTA, which has positioned Georgia as a key partner of the EU in the region. It called the Georgian authorities to continue ensuring stability, further democratic reforms and economic and social improvements for Georgians, who are affected by poverty, unemployment and a high level of economic emigration.

It also noted with satisfaction that Georgia’s European agenda continues to garner cross-party consensus and the support of a majority of Georgian citizens.

The Georgian authorities have been invited to address some remaining concerns:

Institutional framework in place to implement the Association Agreement : Members noted that EU support to Georgia will reach between EUR 371 and 453 million for 2017-2020, with additional funds available under the ‘more for more principle’ in line with the EU-Georgia Association Agenda. The Commission is encouraged to provide such assistance proportionally to Georgia’s absorption capacity and reform efforts .

Members stressed the need for Georgia to have highly qualified local officials to implement the association programme. They invited the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission to strengthen internal capacity to intensify the monitoring of the implementation of the Association Agreement, notably through an increase in dedicated human resources with in-depth expertise in the Georgian administrative and legal system.

Political dialogue : Members regretted the postponement of the implementation of a fully proportional electoral system until 2024. They reiterated their readiness to observe future elections in Georgia and to assist the Georgian authorities in following up on and implementing the recommendations that will be presented.

While supporting the democratic strengthening of Georgia’s political institutions, the resolution underlined the importance of pursuing an ambitious reform agenda aimed at the political neutrality of state institutions and their staff. It also stressed the urgent need to put in place more rigorous mechanisms for scrutinising the executive.

Members welcomed the effective implementation of the visa free regime for Georgian citizens since 27 March 2017. However, they encouraged regular monitoring thereof in order to ensure continued compliance.

As regards the illegal occupation of Georgian territories by Russia , the report stressed that the international community must take a consistent, coordinated, united and firm stance against Russia’s occupation and annexation policy.

It also stressed the need to further develop high level dialogue on security issues between the EU and Georgia, particularly on countering radicalisation, violent extremism, propaganda and hybrid threats.

Rule of law, good governance and freedom of the press : while congratulating Georgia on its implementation of the anti-corruption strategy and action plan, Parliament stressed that the fight against corruption must go hand in hand with the independence of the judiciary, and that there was still a need to build a solid experience in investigating high-level corruption cases. It also called for all necessary measures to be taken to strengthen the judicial system in order to guarantee the full independence of the judiciary and the Prosecutor’s Office.

Emphasising the politicisation of media content , Members recalled the importance of a pluralist and transparent media environment.

Respect for human rights : Members called on the Georgian authorities to take further steps to uphold fundamental freedoms and human rights, notably for vulnerable groups, by fighting hate speech and discrimination, including on the labour market through an amended Labour Code, against LGBTQI people, Roma people, people living with HIV/AIDS, persons with disabilities and other minorities.

The humanitarian situation in and isolation of the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia continue to represent one of the key challenges for Georgia.

Members also called for:

the broadening of the scope of the law to avoid exemptions; reminds the Georgian authorities of the obligation to respect international labour rights standards; increased implementation efforts in the fields of transport and the environment: Members urged the Georgian government to adopt a strategy to combat air pollution; further steps to protect women against all forms of violence, sexual abuse and harassment at work and in public places, and to increase the number of women on the labour market and in politics where they remain underrepresented; a strengthening of the protection of children’s rights, including the prevention of violence against children, access to education for all children, including those with disabilities.

Documents
2018/11/14
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2018/11/13
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2018/10/15
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary
Details

The Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the own-initiative report by Andrejs MAMIKINS (S&D, LV) on the implementation of the EU Association Agreement with Georgia.

Four years after the signing by the EU of the Association Agreement (AA) including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) with Georgia, and two years after its full entry into force, the European Parliament has decided to evaluate the level of implementation of this agreement, in line with its strong commitment to its closest Eastern partners and to their deepening relations with the EU.

EU-Georgia relations are being continuously deepened by virtue of new major achievements in line with the EU-Georgia Association Agreement (AA), Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) and Association Agenda, including the entry into force of the visa-free regime and Georgia’s accession to the Energy Community.

Overall, the findings of this report provide a positive image of the implementation of the Association Agreement with Georgia. Whilst calling on the Georgian authorities to address some remaining concerns in line with AA - notably as regards labour standards, environmental protection and discrimination against vulnerable groups and women - the report also welcomed the legislative and institutional steps taken in order to address those topics.

Members welcomed the sustained reform track and progress made in implementing the AA and the DCFTA, which has positioned Georgia as a key partner of the EU in the region. They called the Georgian authorities to continue ensuring stability, further democratic reforms and economic and social improvements for Georgians, who are affected by poverty, unemployment and a high level of economic emigration .

Areas of concern where improvements may be made are as follows:

Institutional framework in place to implement the Association Agreement : Members noted that EU support to Georgia will reach between EUR 371 and 453 million for 2017-2020, with additional funds available under the ‘more for more principle’ in line with the EU-Georgia Association Agenda. The Commission is encouraged to provide such assistance proportionally to Georgia’s absorption capacity and reform efforts.

They called on the EEAS and/or the Commission to:

provide assistance in capacity-building and in the training of Georgian officials dealing with AA/DCFTA implementation; boost internal capabilities to step up monitoring of the implementation of the AA, notably through an increase in dedicated human resources with in-depth expertise in the Georgian administrative and legal system.

Political dialogue : Members regretted the postponement of the implementation of a fully proportional electoral system until 2024. They reiterated their readiness to observe future elections in Georgia and to assist the Georgian authorities in following up on and implementing the recommendations that will be presented.

While supporting the democratic strengthening of Georgia’s political institutions, the report stressed the urgent need to put in place more rigorous mechanisms for scrutinising the executive , including through the ability of Members of Parliament to put questions to ministers and the Prime Minister on a regular basis in order to hold them accountable.

Members welcomed the effective implementation of the visa free regime for Georgian citizens since 27 March 2017. However, they encouraged regular monitoring thereof in order to ensure continued compliance.

As regards the illegal occupation of Georgian territories by Russia, the report stressed that the international community must take a consistent, coordinated, united and firm stance against Russia’s occupation and annexation policy.

It also stressed the need to further develop high level dialogue on security issues between the EU and Georgia, particularly on countering radicalisation, violent extremism, propaganda and hybrid threats.

Respect for human rights : the Georgian authorities are called on to further operationalise the country’s human rights coordination mechanism and strengthen its cooperation in multilateral forums. Members called on the Georgian authorities to take further steps to uphold fundamental freedoms and human rights, notably for vulnerable groups, by fighting hate speech and discrimination, including on the labour market through an amended Labour Code, against LGBTQI people, Roma people, people living with HIV/AIDS, persons with disabilities and other minorities.

The humanitarian situation in and isolation of the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia continue to represent one of the key challenges for Georgia.

Members also called for:

further steps to protect women against all forms of violence, sexual abuse and harassment at work and in public places, and to increase the number of women on the labour market and in politics where they remain underrepresented; a strengthening of the protection of children’s rights, including the prevention of violence against children, access to education for all children, including those with disabilities; the depoliticisation of media content .

Documents
2018/10/09
   EP - Vote in committee
2018/09/12
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2018/07/20
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2018/06/25
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2018/03/01
   EP - KATAINEN Elsi (ALDE) appointed as rapporteur in INTA
2018/01/18
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament
2017/07/11
   EP - MAMIKINS Andrejs (S&D) appointed as rapporteur in AFET

Documents

Activities

Votes

A8-0320/2018 - Andrejs Mamikins - Résolution 14/11/2018 13:32:21.000 #

2018/11/14 Outcome: +: 528, -: 97, 0: 34
DE PL IT ES RO GB BE SE BG FR HU NL CZ SK DK PT FI HR LT AT SI LU MT LV IE EE CY ?? EL
Total
88
42
59
46
28
60
20
19
16
66
18
24
20
13
13
20
11
10
10
17
7
6
6
5
9
2
5
1
17
icon: PPE PPE
181

United Kingdom PPE

For (1)

1

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1

Finland PPE

2

Luxembourg PPE

3

Latvia PPE

2

Cyprus PPE

1

Greece PPE

1
icon: S&D S&D
170

Netherlands S&D

3

Croatia S&D

2

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

1

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Malta S&D

3

Ireland S&D

For (1)

1

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Cyprus S&D

For (1)

1
icon: ALDE ALDE
60

Germany ALDE

2

Romania ALDE

3

United Kingdom ALDE

1

Portugal ALDE

1

Croatia ALDE

2

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

1

Latvia ALDE

1

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1
icon: ECR ECR
66

Italy ECR

1

Romania ECR

2

Sweden ECR

2

Bulgaria ECR

2

Netherlands ECR

2

Czechia ECR

2
2

Croatia ECR

For (1)

1

Lithuania ECR

1

Latvia ECR

For (1)

1

Cyprus ECR

1

Greece ECR

Against (1)

1
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
49

Italy Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Belgium Verts/ALE

2

Hungary Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

Abstain (1)

1

Estonia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1
icon: NI NI
19

Germany NI

Against (1)

2

United Kingdom NI

Against (1)

Abstain (2)

3

France NI

2

Hungary NI

2

Denmark NI

1

NI

Abstain (1)

1
icon: EFDD EFDD
38

Germany EFDD

Against (1)

1

Poland EFDD

1

Czechia EFDD

Against (1)

1

Lithuania EFDD

Abstain (1)

1
icon: ENF ENF
30

Germany ENF

Against (1)

1

Poland ENF

2

Belgium ENF

Against (1)

1

Netherlands ENF

3
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
45

Italy GUE/NGL

2

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

Sweden GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

3

Czechia GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

3

Denmark GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Ireland GUE/NGL

Against (2)

Abstain (1)

3

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2
AmendmentsDossier
257 2017/2282(INI)
2018/05/04 INTA 28 amendments...
source: 621.008
2018/09/12 AFET 229 amendments...
source: 627.675

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

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  • date: 2018-06-25T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE619.164&secondRef=02 title: PE619.164 committee: INTA type: Committee opinion body: EP
  • date: 2018-07-20T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE622.302 title: PE622.302 type: Committee draft report body: EP
  • date: 2018-09-12T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE627.675 title: PE627.675 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2019-03-11T00:00:00 docs: url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=31651&j=0&l=en title: SP(2019)43 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
events
  • date: 2018-01-18T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2018-10-09T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2018-10-15T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2018-0320&language=EN title: A8-0320/2018 summary: The Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the own-initiative report by Andrejs MAMIKINS (S&D, LV) on the implementation of the EU Association Agreement with Georgia. Four years after the signing by the EU of the Association Agreement (AA) including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) with Georgia, and two years after its full entry into force, the European Parliament has decided to evaluate the level of implementation of this agreement, in line with its strong commitment to its closest Eastern partners and to their deepening relations with the EU. EU-Georgia relations are being continuously deepened by virtue of new major achievements in line with the EU-Georgia Association Agreement (AA), Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) and Association Agenda, including the entry into force of the visa-free regime and Georgia’s accession to the Energy Community. Overall, the findings of this report provide a positive image of the implementation of the Association Agreement with Georgia. Whilst calling on the Georgian authorities to address some remaining concerns in line with AA - notably as regards labour standards, environmental protection and discrimination against vulnerable groups and women - the report also welcomed the legislative and institutional steps taken in order to address those topics. Members welcomed the sustained reform track and progress made in implementing the AA and the DCFTA, which has positioned Georgia as a key partner of the EU in the region. They called the Georgian authorities to continue ensuring stability, further democratic reforms and economic and social improvements for Georgians, who are affected by poverty, unemployment and a high level of economic emigration . Areas of concern where improvements may be made are as follows: Institutional framework in place to implement the Association Agreement : Members noted that EU support to Georgia will reach between EUR 371 and 453 million for 2017-2020, with additional funds available under the ‘more for more principle’ in line with the EU-Georgia Association Agenda. The Commission is encouraged to provide such assistance proportionally to Georgia’s absorption capacity and reform efforts. They called on the EEAS and/or the Commission to: provide assistance in capacity-building and in the training of Georgian officials dealing with AA/DCFTA implementation; boost internal capabilities to step up monitoring of the implementation of the AA, notably through an increase in dedicated human resources with in-depth expertise in the Georgian administrative and legal system. Political dialogue : Members regretted the postponement of the implementation of a fully proportional electoral system until 2024. They reiterated their readiness to observe future elections in Georgia and to assist the Georgian authorities in following up on and implementing the recommendations that will be presented. While supporting the democratic strengthening of Georgia’s political institutions, the report stressed the urgent need to put in place more rigorous mechanisms for scrutinising the executive , including through the ability of Members of Parliament to put questions to ministers and the Prime Minister on a regular basis in order to hold them accountable. Members welcomed the effective implementation of the visa free regime for Georgian citizens since 27 March 2017. However, they encouraged regular monitoring thereof in order to ensure continued compliance. As regards the illegal occupation of Georgian territories by Russia, the report stressed that the international community must take a consistent, coordinated, united and firm stance against Russia’s occupation and annexation policy. It also stressed the need to further develop high level dialogue on security issues between the EU and Georgia, particularly on countering radicalisation, violent extremism, propaganda and hybrid threats. Respect for human rights : the Georgian authorities are called on to further operationalise the country’s human rights coordination mechanism and strengthen its cooperation in multilateral forums. Members called on the Georgian authorities to take further steps to uphold fundamental freedoms and human rights, notably for vulnerable groups, by fighting hate speech and discrimination, including on the labour market through an amended Labour Code, against LGBTQI people, Roma people, people living with HIV/AIDS, persons with disabilities and other minorities. The humanitarian situation in and isolation of the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia continue to represent one of the key challenges for Georgia. Members also called for: further steps to protect women against all forms of violence, sexual abuse and harassment at work and in public places, and to increase the number of women on the labour market and in politics where they remain underrepresented; a strengthening of the protection of children’s rights, including the prevention of violence against children, access to education for all children, including those with disabilities; the depoliticisation of media content .
  • date: 2018-11-13T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20181113&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2018-11-14T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=31651&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2018-11-14T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2018-0457 title: T8-0457/2018 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 528 votes to 97, with 34 abstentions, a resolution on the implementation of the EU Association Agreement with Georgia. Parliament welcomed the sustained reform track and progress made in implementing the AA and the DCFTA, which has positioned Georgia as a key partner of the EU in the region. It called the Georgian authorities to continue ensuring stability, further democratic reforms and economic and social improvements for Georgians, who are affected by poverty, unemployment and a high level of economic emigration. It also noted with satisfaction that Georgia’s European agenda continues to garner cross-party consensus and the support of a majority of Georgian citizens. The Georgian authorities have been invited to address some remaining concerns: Institutional framework in place to implement the Association Agreement : Members noted that EU support to Georgia will reach between EUR 371 and 453 million for 2017-2020, with additional funds available under the ‘more for more principle’ in line with the EU-Georgia Association Agenda. The Commission is encouraged to provide such assistance proportionally to Georgia’s absorption capacity and reform efforts . Members stressed the need for Georgia to have highly qualified local officials to implement the association programme. They invited the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission to strengthen internal capacity to intensify the monitoring of the implementation of the Association Agreement, notably through an increase in dedicated human resources with in-depth expertise in the Georgian administrative and legal system. Political dialogue : Members regretted the postponement of the implementation of a fully proportional electoral system until 2024. They reiterated their readiness to observe future elections in Georgia and to assist the Georgian authorities in following up on and implementing the recommendations that will be presented. While supporting the democratic strengthening of Georgia’s political institutions, the resolution underlined the importance of pursuing an ambitious reform agenda aimed at the political neutrality of state institutions and their staff. It also stressed the urgent need to put in place more rigorous mechanisms for scrutinising the executive. Members welcomed the effective implementation of the visa free regime for Georgian citizens since 27 March 2017. However, they encouraged regular monitoring thereof in order to ensure continued compliance. As regards the illegal occupation of Georgian territories by Russia , the report stressed that the international community must take a consistent, coordinated, united and firm stance against Russia’s occupation and annexation policy. It also stressed the need to further develop high level dialogue on security issues between the EU and Georgia, particularly on countering radicalisation, violent extremism, propaganda and hybrid threats. Rule of law, good governance and freedom of the press : while congratulating Georgia on its implementation of the anti-corruption strategy and action plan, Parliament stressed that the fight against corruption must go hand in hand with the independence of the judiciary, and that there was still a need to build a solid experience in investigating high-level corruption cases. It also called for all necessary measures to be taken to strengthen the judicial system in order to guarantee the full independence of the judiciary and the Prosecutor’s Office. Emphasising the politicisation of media content , Members recalled the importance of a pluralist and transparent media environment. Respect for human rights : Members called on the Georgian authorities to take further steps to uphold fundamental freedoms and human rights, notably for vulnerable groups, by fighting hate speech and discrimination, including on the labour market through an amended Labour Code, against LGBTQI people, Roma people, people living with HIV/AIDS, persons with disabilities and other minorities. The humanitarian situation in and isolation of the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia continue to represent one of the key challenges for Georgia. Members also called for: the broadening of the scope of the law to avoid exemptions; reminds the Georgian authorities of the obligation to respect international labour rights standards; increased implementation efforts in the fields of transport and the environment: Members urged the Georgian government to adopt a strategy to combat air pollution; further steps to protect women against all forms of violence, sexual abuse and harassment at work and in public places, and to increase the number of women on the labour market and in politics where they remain underrepresented; a strengthening of the protection of children’s rights, including the prevention of violence against children, access to education for all children, including those with disabilities.
  • date: 2018-11-14T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
links
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    Rules of Procedure EP 159
    procedure/dossier_of_the_committee
    Old
    AFET/8/11788
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    • AFET/8/11788
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    Rules of Procedure EP 54
    procedure/legal_basis/0
    Rules of Procedure EP 52
    procedure/stage_reached
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    • 6.20.03 Bilateral economic and trade agreements and relations
    • 6.40.15 European neighbourhood policy
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    6.20.03
    Bilateral economic and trade agreements and relations
    6.40.15
    European neighbourhood policy
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    • Implementation
    • See also 2014/0086(NLE)
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    2018-01-18T00:00:00
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    NART Javier
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    GUE/NGL
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    SCHOLZ Helmut
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    group
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    CASTALDO Fabio Massimo
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    TAKKULA Hannu
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    KATAINEN Elsi
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      • body: EP responsible: False committee: INTA date: 2017-10-11T00:00:00 committee_full: International Trade rapporteur: group: ALDE name: TAKKULA Hannu
      links
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        Georgia
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        2017/2282(INI)
        title
        Implementation of the EU association agreement with Georgia
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