Georgian Premier Lado Gurgenidze thanked the European Union for its support Tuesday and called for closer ties with Brussels. Russian officials on the other hand had had a mixed reaction to the emergency summit. "What Georgia needs is to consolidate the gains we have made through tightened integration (with the EU)," Gurgenidze said after talks in Brussels with the EU's external affairs commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner. "The free trade and the visa facilitation are indeed important pillars, although we are hoping for a comprehensive discussion on how this tightened integration (with the EU) can be achieved," Gurgenidze said. The premier also raised his estimate on the number of Georgians needing long-term resettlement as a result of Russia's military intervention from 20,000 to 30-35,000.
"What Georgia needs is to consolidate the gains we have made through tightened integration (with the EU)," Gurgenidze said after talks in Brussels with the EU's external affairs commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner.
"The free trade and the visa facilitation are indeed important pillars, although we are hoping for a comprehensive discussion on how this tightened integration (with the EU) can be achieved," Gurgenidze said.
The premier also raised his estimate on the number of Georgians needing long-term resettlement as a result of Russia's military intervention from 20,000 to 30-35,000.
