European Neighborhood Policy
EU - Georgia Action Plan
Strategy of the Government of Georgia for Implementation
2007
Gradual integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures is the major foreign policy priority of
Georgia.
We attach particular importance to the EU-Georgia cooperation within the framework of the European
Neighborhood Policy, which has been developed to extend the area of stability, security and welfare to
the European neighborhood.
The EU-Georgia European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan is an important document, which was
endorsed by the Georgian government and the European Commission on November 14, 2006. The
Action Plan lays out the strategic objectives of cooperation between sides, supporting implementation of
relevant economic and political priorities.
The Action Plan covers a timeframe of five years. Considering importance of this document, the
Georgian Government decided to implement it in three years period (Government Decree #549 of
November 22, 2006).
The EU-Georgia ENP AP will also help fulfill the provisions of the Partnership and Cooperation
Agreement and significantly advance the approximation of Georgian legislation, norms and standards to
those of the European Union, building solid foundations for further development of economic, political,
social and cultural cooperation.
Drawing on these objectives the Georgian Government has identified the following priorities for 2007:
1. Furthering Development of Democracy. Strengthening Justice and Rule of Law
The Rose Revolution showed that democracy and freedom are the major aspirations of the Georgian
society. Georgia is an integral part of Europe from political, economic and cultural points of view.
European values and traditions are reflected in the country’s fundamental values. The strategy has
ample room for modernizing the judiciary through systemic reforms.
 To adopt a new Criminal Procedural Code;
 To amend the Law of Georgia on General Courts in relation to the appointment of judges
and to the determination of authority of the High Council of Justice according to the recent
amendments to the Constitution of Georgia;
 To elaborate a new draft law merging the Organic Law pg Georgia on General Courts and
Law on the Supreme Court of Georgia;
 To study best practices for an ex-parte communications ban, prepare bases for relevant
legislative draft;
 To adopt a law on Free Legal Aid and further development of the free legal aid service;
 To further develop the enforcement of court decisions system to ensure its effective
functioning and conformity with the European standards;
 To improve legal base related to the probation and penitentiary system;
 To develop and adopt the Code of Ethics for the penitentiary staff;
 Within the frame of the Implementation Action Plan of the Strategy of the Reform of the
Criminal Legislation of Georgia:
 To strengthen infrastructure of the Penitentiary and Probation Training Centre
including provision of relevant equipment;
 To develop infrastructure of penitentiary system and improve conditions for
prisoners;
 To ensure regular training for the staff of penitentiary and probation institutions;
 To continue gradual appointment of judges based on available vacancies;
 To continue further reconstruction, modernization and reorganization of the court
system;
 To continue training of active judges using capacities of the Higher School of
Justice.
 To update and adjust the voters’ list;
 To develop the National Action Plan Against Torture and establish National Monitoring
Mechanism in that field (OPCAT).
 To amend the Law on Political Unions of Citizens;
 To implement the Action Plan of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy;
 To join the UN Convention Against Corruption.
2. Peaceful Resolution of Conflicts
The most pressing problem that Georgia is currently facing is the territorial integrity and peaceful
resolution of its internal conflicts, as they hinder further development of the country. The Georgian
government, therefore, appreciates increasing EU participation in promoting the peace process in the
conflict regions. Georgia has put forward new approaches and principles for peaceful resolution of the
conflicts: having a direct dialogue with Abkhaz and South Ossetian sides, ensuring continuity of the
peace process, having impartial facilitators at the negotiations. Georgia stands ready to support a
comprehensive reintegration programs for Abkhazia, Georgia and South Ossetia, Georgia.
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To continue diplomatic dialogue supporting the peacemaking process;
To offer direct negotiations between the Centre and representatives of conflict regions;
To pursue active confidence-building efforts;
To continue dialogue on safe and non-conditional return of refugees and IDP-s;
To take active efforts aimed at establishing a full-scale Office on Human Rights in Gali
district;
To take active efforts aimed at putting in place a Civilian Police component in Gali district;
To implement human dimension and socio-economic rehabilitation programs in conflict
zones including promotion of small businesses, employment and infrastructure
rehabilitation;
To support activities of the EU Special Representative in South Caucasus and his
supporting team;
To start implementation of the Georgian Law on Establishment a Provisional
Administrative Unit in the Tskhinvali Region
3. Structural and Administrative Reforms
Improvement of functioning of the market economy and boosting economic growth through structural
reforms, improvement of administrative capacity of the Government are the core directions of the
Reform Agenda.
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 To further strengthening of institutions responsible for fighting against financial crime;
 To start elaboration of recommendations and analysis of the Georgian statistics in order to
ensure its reliability and quality;
 To reform the state system of regulation and administration of winemaking;
 To continue reform of Local Governance and decentralization.
4. Migration and Border Management
On the way to building a strong and democratic state Georgia strives to achieve European standards in
migration management, which involves developing a proper migration and border management policy.
Political support of the EU place particular role in fostering of visa facilitation dialogue as well as the
timely establishment of the Sub-committee on Freedom, Security and Justice within the framework of
EU-Georgia cooperation.
 To elaborate Integrated Border Management Strategy;
 To reconstruct customs check-points and building new sectors, improve the infrastructure
and equipment of the check-points including provision of radiation detectors;
 To develop the infrastructure of rapid reaction teams;
 To assist to the safe and voluntary return of the victims of trafficking of persons;
 To adopt a Strategy on Migration and Asylum and start elaboration on the National Action
Plan;
 To elaborate a draft Law on Refugees and Temporary Asylum;
 To elaborate a draft law on Repatriation of Muslim Meskhetians;
 To elaborate an Action Plan based on National Strategy on Refugees and start its
implementation;
 To create the Sub-Committee on Freedom, Security and Justice within the framework of
EU-Georgia cooperation;
 To start an intensive dialogue on visa facilitation and readmission with the EU and develop
a proper information exchange mechanism on visa issues;
 To proceed with bilateral negotiations on readmission agreements with EU Member States;
 To cooperate with the EU on civil servants training opportunities on migration
management;
 To start cooperation with the EU to ensure better compliance of travel documents and visa
security with the international standards.
5. Improvement of the business and investment climate
Institutional de-regulation of economy, including privatization, minimization of pressure on business,
optimization and liberalization of general and technical safety systems will help improve efficiency and
competitiveness. Trade facilitation, active dialogue on free trade and improvements related to non
tariff barriers are considered to be the most effective promoters of Georgia’s trade with the EU.
 To develop and approve by-laws related to the tax declaration forms and their completion
rules, to ensure their availability to taxpayers;
 To elaborate a draft law on Electronic Signature;
 To develop and regularly update a special webpage on customs procedures;
 To start elaboration of a Medium Term Development Strategy for Agriculture;
 To cooperate with international organizations aimed at establishment and introduction of a
Rapid Alert System, and introduction of the RASFF;
 To create internal electronic data base and develop infrastructure of the National
Accreditation Center with a view to setting up a modern institutional system of
accreditation;
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 To complete formal procedures for cooperation with the European Investment Bank and
develop proposals for infrastructure projects;
 To analyze findings of the European Commission’s assessment of the EU-Georgia Free
Trade opportunities and take further steps to that direction;
 To start negotiations on the EU-Georgia bilateral agreements on the Mutual Recognition
and Protection of Appellations of Origin and Geographic Indications;
6. Sustainable development and social protection
Government of Georgia will continue to pursue a sustainable macro-economic policy, which will
stimulate growth, create employment in private sector, attract foreign investments, and improve overall
stability in the country. Private sector development should be the main driving force of economic growth
and poverty reduction. Social security is focused on introduction of targeted, monetized and targeted
assistance, forming a mechanism of proper identification of IDP-s and other vulnerable categories,
improving pension system and health-care system, etc. The MTEF process has significantly moved
forward, with BDD becoming the government's most important overall strategy document.
 To elaborate the document on the Basic Directions and Data (BDD) and submit it on to the
Parliament;
 To secure access to medical care for families living below the poverty line;
 To implement a comprehensive plan for the development of the hospital sector;
 To adopt a law on Public Healthcare;
 To take steps to extend general regulations (licensing, certification) of the healthcare sector
to the Georgian penitentiary establishments and to provide services by civilian providers;
 To set up a National Professional Agency according to the Law on Professional Education;
 To expend and properly equip the network of Vocational Education Centers;
 To assist Georgian scientists and students to participate in programmes such as TEMPUS,
Erasmus Mundus, Marie Curie, as well as in the 7th European Community Framework
Programme;
 To continue reforms of the higher education sector in line with the principles of the
“Bologna process”.
 To continue reforms of the science sector through introduction of competitive selection of
grant applications, promotion of integration of the science and education and
implementation of the result oriented projects;
 To start up activities of a special fund supporting science;
 To implement special programme ("Deer Leap") aimed at the promotion of information and
communication technologies in the Georgian education system;
 To develop mid-term Action Plan for Environmental Protection (NEAP);
 To elaborate a Forest Management Concept;
 To elaborate a Water Management Strategy;
 To prepare the Belgrade Report on the European environment in co-operation with the
European Environmental Protection Agency within the framework of Environment for
Europe process;
 To ensure active participation at the advisory group meetings of the Commission on the
Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution;
 To participate actively in the following events, aiming implementation of trans-boundary
approach in water management sector:
 the Black Sea Commission meeting (May, 2007);
 the Danube – Black Sea (DABLAS) Task Force meeting (June/July 2007);
 the working group meetings of the Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central
Asia component of the EU Water Initiative (May, November, 2007);
 To prepare report on the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, including steps taken to
introduce the Clean Development Mechanism and projects in that field.
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7. Development of Energy Sector
Effective participation of Georgia in the Black Sea cooperation creates additional possibilities for the
EU to meet its own energy needs and diversify energy supplies. Taking into consideration the transit
potential of Georgia, development of energy sector is a major priority. At the same time utilization of the
hydropower potential, development of renewable energy sources and improvement of energy efficiency
are also high on the agenda.
 To intensify a dialogue with the EU on energy security within the region;
 To continue cooperation on the Caspian and Black Sea regional energy issues (oil, gas,
electricity) in the context of the "Baku Initiative" and the follow up to the 2nd Energy
Ministerial Conference held in Astana on 30 November 2006, including support of the
"EU-Black Sea and Caspian Sea Basin and its Neighboring Countries Energy Cooperation
Secretariat (INOGATE)";
 To develop diversified infrastructure for exploitation and transit of the Caspian energy
resources, taking due account of the country’s need for progressive integration with the EU
energy market and system and Georgia’s role as an energy transit country;
 To start elaboration of comparative analysis of the EU and Georgia energy policy. While
implementing energy policy, consider major EU approaches regarding energy security in
the region through availability of recourses and diversification of supply routs;
 To continue rehabilitation of the electricity, natural gas and oil infrastructure to improve
country's energy security;
 To implement activities envisaged by the document - The Main Directions of the State
Policy in the Energy Sector;
 To gradually implement 2005-2008 Strategic Action Plan of Georgian Energy Sector;
 To start a feasibility study for the construction of the regional gas storage facility project
in Georgia;
 To support development of the sustainable energy sector through energy efficiency and use
of renewable energy resources.
8. Political Dialogue and Cooperation on Regional Issues
New geo-political reality brought about by the recent EU enlargement made it an important actor in the
Black Sea region. Strategic resources, emerging markets, significant potential of developing trade in
goods and services create a basis for new political and economic opportunities. Georgia is ready to
enhance its participation in the Black Sea regional cooperation initiatives, such as the environment,
education, border management, energy, transport, science and technology.
 To complete procedures for alignment with the EU positions on regional and international
issues;
 To participate in projects within the framework of the Black Sea cooperation together with
the other countries of the region, enhance political, economic and cultural cooperation in
the Black Sea region and between the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Caspian Sea
regions;
 To participate in Black Sea Trans-Border Cooperation programme;
 To utilize new opportunities of the EU-Georgia cooperation within the framework of the
Common Foreign and Security Policy and increase effectiveness of current institutions;
 To organize a conference aimed at presentation of results of the ENP EU-Georgia Action
Plan implementation with participation of European partners including current as well as
the previous and future EU presidencies.
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