The First Deputy State Minister Ms. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, along with Mr. Paata Zakareishvili hosted Mr. Verheugen. They discussed the issues of enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy, as well as Georgia’s European integration process.

"I would like to share my European experience, particularly in the spheres of enlargement and Neighborhood Policy. The visit takes place in a critical moment for the Neighborhood Policy. I have traveled to Georgia to convey a clear message for your people - you have done a lot, you have implemented important reforms and you have achieved much better policy with regard to the European Union. I call on the European institutions to provide clear perspective and timeframe for European integration to Georgia", - Mr. Verheugen declared to journalists after the meeting.

Mr. Paata Zakareishvili stressed the experience of Mr. Verheugen:

"He is one of the important politicians in the European Union in recent period - most substantial enlargement of the EU took place during his time in office. Mr. Verheugen has enormous experience in European policy. He shared with us how the EU enlargement process runs, the principles on which this process is based on and the principles and values the Georgian policy should be founded on along its road to European integration. According to his estimate, Georgia has undertaken proper steps and the conditions for responsive action by the European Union are already shaped. This year is very important for Georgia and I am sure that Europe will wage a clear-cut and straightforward policy in relation to Georgia" - Mr. Paata Zakareishvili declared.