Implementation of the EU Association Agreement (AA) requires complex reforms in Georgian energy sector through introduction of EU energy acquis. These requirements can be fulfilled in AA format or in Energy Community (EC) format.

If Georgia does not become a full member of the EC till September 2016 (which only requires an agreement on terms and conditions of reform implementation) the negotiations will continue in AA format. The main difference between these two is that EC format is more flexible while AA format might require stricter terms and more complicated conditions. There is no assurance that in AA format the same derogations and the same level of political support can be achieved as in EC format.