Parliament EU Integration Committee Chair: granting Georgia “European prospective” “undoubtedly important” step forward
The Parliament official also stressed the importance of transforming the polarised domestic political climate of “loathing and hatred” into “constructive, action-oriented criticism” and replacing “destructive and futile initiatives” with those that would actually help the country’s EU integration. Photo: Parliament of Georgia
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Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s European Union Integration Committee, on Tuesday said the European Commission’s recommendation to grant the country “European prospective” was “undoubtedly” an “important step forward” on the country’s path to EU integration.
Botchorishvili pointed out the recommendation allowed Georgia to take part in the EU accession process, adding the “obvious progress” made by Georgia in terms of the implementation of the 2014 Association Agreement with the EU remained a “fact” that would “always serve” as a “solid foundation” for the country’s further advancement on its European integration path.
Of course, the fact that the European Commission officially recognised Georgia’s European perspective for the first time is to be welcomed. This is undoubtedly an important step forward on the path to EU integration, which allows Georgia to take part in the EU accession process”, the Parliament official said.
She also noted the goal of the Georgian Government was for the country to become a candidate for EU membership alongside Moldova and Ukraine, and to “advance” in this process “in a timely manner”.
In order to make further progress on the path to EU membership, Georgia must take steps to implement the European Commission’s recommendations, some of which are already part of the Association Agenda [between the country and the bloc]”, she highlighted.
At this crucial moment, the European Union has told us once again that we must learn to respect one another and try to work together on issues that are needed for the future of the country and its integration into the European Union”, Botchorishvili added.
The Parliament official also stressed the importance of transforming the polarised domestic political climate of “loathing and hatred” into “constructive, action-oriented criticism” and replacing “destructive and futile initiatives” with those that would actually help the country’s EU integration.
Maybe we could try to respect the state and its institutions instead of attempting to trample them. Success on the path to EU integration is unimaginable without robust institutions. [...] This crucial moment in the history of Georgia requires proper assessment and engagement in political processes with greater responsibility”, she concluded in her comments.
The Georgian Government aligns politically with the international community over its sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine, and has made it “very clear” that “no sanctioned individual or company” will be allowed to use Georgia to bypass them, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Tuesday in a panel discussion at the Qatar Economic Forum.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday said if the European Commission had adopted a “merit-based approach” in its decision on Georgia’s membership bid, the country would have been “the first” to receive the candidate status for European Union membership.
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.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday said the country’s membership in NATO was the “determination” of the Georgian Government and pointed out the country’s “very close” cooperation with the alliance.
Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's European Union Integration Committee, on Tuesday highlighted “successful reforms” implemented under the European Union-Georgia Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, at the EU-Georgia Business Forum in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi.
The United States supports the further integration of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia with their European neighbours, Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price said in a briefing on Tuesday.
Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday said he was “convinced” the country would receive the European Union membership candidate status “in the near future”.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday said the decision of the European Commission to only grant the country the European Union membership candidate status if it met a number of conditions was “not an expert decision but a political one”.
The Helsinki Commission, a United States Government agency monitoring security in Europe, on Wednesday urged the European Council to grant Georgia the European Union membership candidate status.