President Zourabichvili: “united stand” on Georgia’s EU bid, Ukraine needed

A “united stand” is required on both Georgia’s European Union membership bid and around Ukraine, President Salome Zourabichvili told the Georgian Parliament in her annual report on Monday.

The Georgian President welcomed the Prime Minister's statement on Georgia’s EU membership application and the resolution on the country’s accession to the Union that is being worked on by the legislative body, while also calling on MP’s to adopt the resolution unanimously.

Zourabichvili suggested to the political establishment these initiatives be united in a single document that would support the country’s application for membership, adding the move would be a sign of “full unity” around the issue and be sent to the EU.

Zourabischili also proposed a position of the Minister of State for EU Integration and a relevant office - which could be staffed from the opposition - be created “immediately”.

During her address, the President also called on the Government to create an expanded or modified format of the Security Council that would involve the “opposition spectrum” while discussing sensitive state security matters. She also urged political parties in the country to declare a moratorium on use of hate speech.

In comments on Ukraine, Zourabichvili thanked the Georgian people for initiatives of displaying solidarity for the country since the start of Russia’s invasion last month.

The President expressed gratitude to the staff of the Georgian Embassies and Consulates in Kyiv, Odesa and Lviv for their “personal and tireless dedication” on the backdrop of Russian invasion.