PM calls “historic” decision of  European Commission to grant Georgia European perspective

In his remarks Garibashvili also reminded the public about the “heroic soldiers” of the country  who “sacrificed” themselves for the "Euro-Atlantic idea", the fight against international terrorism, and their country's ​​integration into NATO, noting Georgia had sent a "record number" of troops to peacekeeping missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and the Central African Republic. Photo: Government's Administration.
 

Agenda.ge, 22 Jun 2022 - 17:05, Tbilisi,Georgia

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Wednesday hailed the “historic” decision of the European Commission to recommend the European Council to grant Georgia a European perspective, in an address to the Georgian Parliament.

The head of the Government highlighted the achievements of the country  over the past year, including the Commission's recommendation, pointing out the expectation had been that Georgia would receive the European Union membership candidate status - which was granted to Ukraine and Moldova - saying  "it is clear that we have seen a different approach [from the Commission]".

The Prime Minister noted Ukraine and Moldova had been given the status as an "incentive mechanism and motivator" along with subsequent conditions, while in the case of Georgia "the opposite approach" had been used. 

The Government head also said Georgia was an “unconditional leader” in "many terms of development" not only among the Associated Trio countries, but "many active European Union states and NATO members".

The PM noted that it had been  “directly, publicly” stated that Ukraine had been granted the EU membership candidate status because of the war in the country. “I want to explain to our citizens: the war in Ukraine proved to be a decisive motivator for giving them status [candidate status for EU membership]", he said.

He also emphasised the conditions  outlined by the European Commission towards all three Associated Trio states, reminding members of the Georgian political opposition that one of the main recommendations of the Commission for the country was to end polarisation in the domestic political sphere. 

In his remarks Garibashvili also reminded the public about the “heroic soldiers” of the country  who “sacrificed” themselves for the "Euro-Atlantic idea", the fight against international terrorism, and their country's ​​integration into NATO, noting Georgia had sent a "record number" of troops to peacekeeping missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and the Central African Republic.