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the reporting period. The country has some level of preparation in terms of the free movement
of goods, on which there was limited progress, and in terms of company law, notably with the
strengthening of auditing. Georgia is at an early stage of preparation when it comes to the free
of movement of workers, with limited progress on circular migration. Limited progress can
also be reported on intellectual property with the adoption of amendments to the Law on patent.
There is some level of preparation on consumer and health protection, where the country made
limited progress. Significant efforts are still needed on ensuring quality healthcare coverage
for all. The national competition agency responsible for enforcement of consumer protection
measures should be properly staffed. No progress can be reported on competition policy, where
the Georgian State Aid Commission still lacks operational independence. There was limited
progress on free movement of capital, where Georgia needs to follow up on outstanding
recommendations from the MONEYVAL report. Georgia has some level of preparation in the
area of financial services and made limited progress during the reporting period.
In cluster 3, competitiveness and inclusive growth, Georgia is moderately prepared in
economic and monetary policy; enterprise and industrial policy; science and research;
education and culture and the customs union. Georgia has some level of preparation in digital
transformation and media, social policy and employment and is in between some and moderate
level of preparation in taxation. The country has made some progress in digital transformation
and media, taxation and science and research. Georgia has shown limited progress on enterprise
and industrial policy.
In cluster 4, green agenda and sustainable connectivity, Georgia is at an early stage of
preparation in environment and climate change. Georgia finalised its long-term low-emission
development strategy. It has some level of preparation in the areas of energy, transport policy
and trans-European networks. A new market-based support scheme for renewable energy
production was introduced. Some progress was achieved on trans-European networks and more
effort is needed to improve transport and energy infrastructure. Georgia achieved some
progress with the adoption of the new National Transport and Logistics Strategy, the adoption
of the Railway Strategy in February and the adoption of the Maritime code. More effort is
needed in the transport sector, with a notable focus on road safety, rail sector reform, and
incorporating the principles of the smart and sustainable mobility strategy.
In cluster 5, resources, agriculture and cohesion, Georgia is at an early stage of preparation
in the chapters on agriculture and rural development and financial and budgetary provisions.
Georgia is in between an early stage and some level of preparation regarding regional policy
and coordination of structural instruments. It has some level of preparation in food safety,
veterinary and phytosanitary policy and fisheries. Some progress was made in regional policy
and limited progress in agriculture and rural development, with the amendment of the Law on
agricultural cooperatives. No progress was registered in fisheries and on financial and
budgetary rules. More effort is needed to increase human and administrative capacity in the
field of fisheries and aquaculture. It is also important to adopt the new regional development
strategy and consider expanding its coverage to the whole country.
In cluster 6, external relations, Georgia is moderately prepared. Limited progress was made
on external relations, where Georgia is expected to align its legislation on export controls on
dual use goods with the EU acquis. Limited progress was made on foreign, security and defence
policy. In line with its long-standing policy, Georgia did not align with the EU’s restrictive
measures (sanctions) regarding Russia, including airspace closure.
In the area of Common Foreign and Security Policy, following Russia’s war of aggression
against Ukraine, Georgia has aligned itself with international and EU initiatives in support of
Ukraine, including on Resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly and Human Rights