MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Headed by Genadi Arveladze, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Georgian delegation participated in the presentation and review process of the Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Cooperation between Georgia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the Regional Trade Agreements Committee of the World Trade Organization.

According to Genadi Arveladze, Georgian government attaches great importance to the strategic partnership with the Great Britain and aims to further strengthen the long-term, close and active cooperation. The Deputy Minister highlighted that United Kingdom fully supports Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and continues to support reforms aimed at Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration.

The agreement was signed on October 21, 2019, and entered into force on January 1, 2021. The agreement replaced the association agreement between Georgia and the European Union within the framework of bilateral relations with Britain after Brexit. The document covers a wide range directions for cooperation and creates a legal framework for a strategic partnership and at the same time, ensures the preservation of the free trade regime between Georgia and the United Kingdom.

Discussion of free trade agreements within the framework of the World Trade Organization, the so-called Factual Presentation was held in accordance with the principle of transparency of the organization, during which all member states are given the opportunity to express their position or ask relevant questions. During the presentation, the agreement is described and discussed in detail.