Prize to the person who manages to make a convincing argument that Georgia is more important to the EU than the UK. Might want to make the argument it is more important than the US as well, as only the US-EU trade relationship is more important than UK-EU.
Writing from Tbilisi. I’d agree that the UK is more important than Georgia to the EU. However, it will be a concern for the EU, given growing pessimism around the upcoming election process with Transparency International barred from monitoring and many Georgians living overseas unable to vote..
Given the security threat to Europe from the embittered thug in the Kremlin, and while the US might still put the Marmalade Messiah not in jail but in the White House, it is.
OK…. Georgia (America) is a key battleground state which, if Trump loses there, will make his winning the election much harder. Trump would be a disaster for European / global stability so until after the election Georgia is more important
How about "a deal with Georgia won't involve having to listen to Nigel Farage whinging and whining every day"
Better food, wine and churches? Oh, and skiing?
David, I also am not convinced by the argument but perhaps it is made on the simple basis that the UK is not on a clear path of integration and on the basis of geopolitics; it is important to sway Georgia off from heavy Russian influence with prospect of EU membership.
The negotiating colour in the piece on security, defence, mobility, fish, energy etc is useful and unsurprising. UK-EU relations are going to be a permanent negotiation. Like US-EU, though probably more so. Not like EU-Georgia. www.ft.com/content/e315...
[FREE TO READ] Old arguments over energy trading and fishing rights are a potential stumbling block in the talks
It's not a competition though. Georgia is very important to the EU, for slightly different reasons than the UK which is also very important to the EU, for slightly different reasons than the US, etc.
It would be a more convincing argument if the piece was aware that the Georgian president is not the person who runs the country - it's a head of state role, not an executive post (although Zourabichvili is an important figure in the anti-government alliance.)
Good point. Seems more likely that the EU will be more keen on countries wanting to join the EU, not a badly vehaved 'ex'. Super sales executive needed for the UK!