Venice Commission ready to once again support Georgia’s European integration - visiting Vice-President

The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe is once again ready to support Georgia “in every possible way” on the path towards the European Union, Michael Frendo, the Vice-President and the head of a visiting delegation of the Commission, said on Thursday at the press conference.

Frendo highlighted the fruitful meetings with Georgian authorities during the delegation's visit to the country, within which the EU recommendations, outlined by the bloc for granting Georgia its membership candidate status, were discussed.

He added these recommendations were “hints” and “red lines”, stressing it was up to Georgia to choose the ways to implement them.

Our [Venice Commission’s] goal is to show Georgia our commitment to the path the country is pursuing in the direction of democracy, human rights and the rule of law”, Frendo said.

The official noted he had congratulated all stakeholders on the positive decision of the European Commission to recommend to the European Council to grant Georgia the EU candidate status.

In her turn, Simona Granata-Menghini, the Secretary of the Venice Commission, said Georgia and the Commission “have gone together through many stages of development” for 25 years. The Commission will continue to issue its recommendations in the future too, “as Georgia is on the path to joining the EU”, she noted.

During the visit to the country, the Venice Commission delegation held meetings with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, President Salome Zourabichvili, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, as well as with the Parliamentary opposition parties.