Ruling party head hails “official recognition” of Georgia’s European perspective by European Commission
He also congratulated both Ukraine and Moldova on receiving the EU membership candidate status, which is expected to be confirmed by the European Council within a week. Photo: Georgian Dream Press Office
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Georgia has been waiting for an official recognition of its European perspective for many years, and the Government is pleased that this perspective has been officially recognised by the European Commission, Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, said on Friday.
Kobakhidze made the comment following the European Commission's recommendation to grant “European prospective” to Georgia, with the official saying the decision would become the “basis” for receiving the EU membership candidate status “in the near future.”
Georgia has been waiting for the official recognition of its European perspective by the European Union for many years. We are pleased that today this perspective was officially recognised by the European Commission, which has provided a specific guide to obtaining the [membership] candidate status”, he said.
Although the candidate status does not give the country any financial or other material privilege, not receiving this status at this stage is, to some extent, still, of course, disappointing”, the party Chairman acknowledged.
The GD official reiterated Georgia was “ahead” of both Ukraine and Moldova by all “measurable parameters” for European integration, including democracy, rule of law, protection of human rights, work against corruption, trade and economic cooperation with the EU and the fulfilment of the obligations under the Association Agreement with the Union.
He also congratulated both Ukraine and Moldova on receiving the EU membership candidate status, which is expected to be confirmed by the European Council within a week.
The strength of democratic institutions, peace and economic development are paramount in preserving Georgia's real chance of joining the European Union. Therefore, the ruling team will do everything possible to further strengthen the democratic institutions, maintain peace and ensure economic progress”, Kobakhidze concluded in his comments.
The European Commission on Friday recommended the European Council to grant Georgia “European prospective” before assessing how the country meets a number of conditions for receiving the European Union membership candidate status.
The European Commission on Friday recommended the European Council to grant Georgia “European prospective” before assessing how the country meets a number of conditions for receiving the European Union membership candidate status.
Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili on Friday said if the opinion of the European Commission on the European Union candidacy of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia was “based on merit”, then Georgia deserved the membership candidate status.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Wednesday said the European Union membership candidate status must be granted “as soon as possible” to the Associated Trio countries of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.
A number of German political parties, including the opposition CDU/CSU faction, have launched a motion supporting a “rapid granting” of European Union membership candidate status to the Associated Trio countries Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, German media reported on Tuesday.
Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, on Friday noted the “historic” event of European Union bodies granting the three countries “European perspectives” in their membership bids.
Recognition of Georgia's European perspective through the decision of the European Commission on Friday is “undoubtedly a step forward”, Mamuka Mdinaradze, the leader of the Georgian Dream ruling party, said on Friday.
Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on Friday said Georgia was “firmly anchored” on its EU membership path following the recommendation of the European Commission on the country’s bid.
Archil Talakvadze, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Friday said he believed the country would see “even more important decisions on its European path in the near future”, following the European Commission recommendation on Georgia’s European Union membership bid.
Georgian civic initiative group Take a Step Towards Europe on Friday responded to the European Commission's recommendations on granting European Union membership candidacy to Georgia by calling on the Government to start implementing “immediate” reforms for obtaining the status.
Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili on Friday welcomed the decision of the European Commission on granting Georgia “European perspective” as a “beacon” on the “arduous road” to European integration of the country.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Friday said the European Commission had formally confirmed “for the first time” that the prospect of Georgia's accession to the European Union was an “irreversible reality” and that the country would “definitely” become a member of the EU.
Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili on Sunday said the Georgian Government was aiming not for the European Union membership candidate status, but to join the bloc.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday said the Georgian Government would be “properly prepared” to report on its reform progress to the European Commission by the end of the year.
Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday announced the departure of three MPs from both the party and the parliament following their disagreement over public relations strategy with the rest of the faction.
Sozar Subari, Mikheil Kavelashvili and Dimitri Khundadze, the three MPs who left the ranks of the ruling Georgian Dream party on Tuesday, issued a joint statement earlier today saying they had decided to set aside party affiliation in a bid to inform the public about behind-the-scenes dealings of the domestic opposition that they claimed were aimed at causing “unrest and war” in the country.
The 12 conditions outlined by the European Council for granting Georgia the European Union membership candidate status later this year are seen as part of the “revolutionary plan” of the “radical opposition” in the country, three MPs who left the ruling party last week to publicise “behind-the-scenes developments” of the domestic political field said in a statement on Monday.
The ruling Georgian Dream party has sued three opposition-minded channels - Mtavari Arkhi, TV Pirveli and Formula - for releasing a political ad in non-election period with “misleading and slanderous” content ahead of the June 24 pro-European rally organised by groups critical of the Government, the channels confirmed on Tuesday.