Parliamentary opposition says gaining EU candidate status an “opportunity not to be missed” in letter to PM

The chance of Georgia being granted an European Union candidate status is an “opportunity not to be missed,” a part of the Parliamentary opposition said on Friday in a letter to Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.

The coming weeks will “decide Georgia’s future,” the MPs said in reference to the European Commission’s deliberation of the country’s formal application for membership.

Georgia should “show it is ready” for EU membership by “taking concrete steps” on Parliamentary approval of a judicial reform package jointly developed with the opposition, the letter said.

In the address, the lawmakers also requested an “immediate approval” of constitutional amendments and of a resolution in support of Ukraine amid the Russian invasion. 

They also urged “protection” of the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili, and a release of Nika Gvaramia, the Director General of Mtavari Arkhi channel from prison.

Missing the “unique opportunity” of the EU candidate status would mean Georgia's European integration would be “postponed for decades,” the MPs said, adding the Government must “show readiness to take decisive steps” to “move closer to Europe” and implement fundamental reforms.