On 22nd of November, 2018 fourth meeting of EU-Georgia Civil Society Platform (CSP) was held at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels. In the Platform (CSP) delegation, ESFTUG was represented by ESFTUG’s Executive Vice-President Marie Alughishvili.

The Civil Society Platform is established under art. 412 of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement (AA) and complement the work of the political bodies existing within the framework of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement. It allows civil society organizations from both sides to monitor the implementation process and prepare their recommendations to the relevant authorities both in Georgia as well as in the European Union.

The meeting was opened by co-chairs of CSP – Mr. Kakha Gogolashvili, Director of EU Studies, Rondeli Foundation and István Komoróczki, Advisor to the President of the Hungarian National Federation of Consumer Co-operative Societies and Trade Associations (ÁFEOSZ-COOP).

The 4th meeting with the European side was attended by General Director of the European Integration Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Archil Karaulashvili.

During the meeting, the members of the CSP discussed the state of play of the implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement and adopted reports on renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as on the climate change in Georgia.The Joint Declaration, reflecting the issues of AA Implementation has been adopted by the Platform members.

Civil society members welcomed the positive assessments expressed by the European Parliament on the Government's activities conducted under the "EU-Georgia Association Agreement". Among them were the issues of democratic processes, strengthening democratic institutions and establishing the rule of law.

Members of the delegation positively evaluated the first high level meeting of the EU and Georgia sectoral dialogue, sectoral directions of Georgia’s integration into the EU and measures to converge with EU policy, a deep and comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) conditions, which will provide direct investment of the EU, as Georgia's biggest trading partner.

ESFTUG’s Executive Vice President drew European and Georgian sides’ attention to the issues of approximation of the Georgian education sector with the European standards as defined by the Georgia-EU Association Agreement. She talked about the needs of the 2030's sustainable development agenda, the inclusive, safe, non-violent teaching-learning environment. ESFTUG’s Vice President presented the role and activities of ESFTUG in the field of education. She introduced the social aspects of the ESFTUG and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia. Marie Alugishvili underlined the necessity of intensive cooperation with the school community (parents, families, local self-government) and more engagement in supporting the education sector in the field of education. On behalf of the ESFTUG, she introduced initiatives for raising the status of teacher. Including the need for intensive care by professional development and training of the teachers, the labor conditions and remuneration issues.

Members of the Civil Society Platform have unanimously called on the EU and Member States to support Georgia's European perspective and territorial integrity; Once again expressed their concern about the facts of "borderization" of Georgian territories, kidnapping peaceful people on occupied territories, prohibiting teaching of native language and facts of human fundamental rights’ abusement.