Free Trade Agreement Between The European Union and Georgia: How Feasible Is It?

At least up to mid-2008, Georgia had been enjoying rapid GDP growth, notwithstanding the very serious economic sanctions imposed on it by Russia since 2006. This growth is expected to continue, but will depend on increased inflows of FDI and adherence to liberal trade policies. Internationally, Georgia has been a member of the WTO since 2000 and has also signed free trade agreements (FTAs) with the CIS countries and most recently with Turkey. Regarding trade with the European Union, Georgia has fully liberalized trade for non-agricultural products and significantly liberalized trade for agricultural goods due to its 2006 tariff reductions. Georgia has qualified for the enhanced preferences for sustainable development and good governance (GSP+) offering it very advantageous access to the EU market.

For the full report on the Economic Feasibility, General Economic Impact and Implications of a Free Trade Agreement Between The European Union and Georgia, see CASE Network Report No. 79.