PM believes EU will make “reasonable, wise” decision on Georgia's membership bid

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday expressed his belief the European Union would make a “reasonable, wise and fair” decision on the membership candidate status of Georgia.

In an apparent reference to a part of the Georgian opposition Garibashvili expressed his regret that domestic “destructive” forces were still trying to carry out an “anti-state campaign with sponsored media articles and meetings” in Brussels.

He also noted a part of the Georgian opposition had urged European politicians not to grant visa-free travel to Georgia under the Georgian Dream Government in 2017, and the “same thing” was happening currently on the issue of the European Union membership candidate status.

It is certainly unfortunate that the destructive forces within the country have tried and are trying, including through sponsored articles and stories in foreign media, meetings in Brussels, to carry out the anti-state and irresponsible campaign against their own country and citizens. Our European colleagues were surprised when telling me this,” the head of the Georgian Government said.

I believe that there are wise and prudent politicians in the European Union and they will make a wise, prudent and fair decision,” Garibashvili concluded.

On May 23, Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, called on the “radical opposition” in the country to “stop campaigning against” Georgia being granted the European Union candidate status.

The ruling party official noted “only those who want to cause unrest” and “get the country involved in war” could oppose the process of the country gaining EU candidate status.