PM laments lack of “merit-based” approach in Georgia’s EU bid outcome

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Wednesday lamented that the European Commission had “not used a merit-based approach” when making its decision on the country’s European Union membership candidate status.

I heard from our European friends [ahead of the decision] that their main motivation would be a merit-based decision, which unfortunately we did not see [in the end]. That is very disappointing for me, for all of us, for every citizen of our country”, Garibashvili said at his presentation of the annual report of the Government's work in the Parliament.

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

They [European counterparts] told me personally that since Ukraine was at war, they had taken this key factor into account and had given Ukraine the status. Despite the fact that Georgia is an unconditional leader under all parameters. [This is the case] not only among the Associated Trio countries - we are [also] ahead of many active EU and NATO member states”, Garibashvili told the MPs. 

Garibashvili also spoke about Moldova, stressing that both Ukraine and Moldova lagged behind Georgia in terms of many achievements and parameters. 

Moldova borders Ukraine. The challenges are much more difficult for them both economically and in terms of security. Moldova was also granted the membership status taking into account other political factors”, he concluded in his comments.