PM stresses “blood shed” in wars against Russia as “one of clearest” arguments for receiving EU candidate status

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday said the “blood shed” by the Georgian people in wars fought against Russia over the decades was “one of the clearest arguments” why the country deserved the European Union membership candidate status.

Garibashvili noted Georgian servicemembers had shown “exemplary heroism” in the 2008 war against Russia, pointing out the EU’s decision on not granting the status to Georgia outright had “put all this into question”.

The blood we shed, our struggle, our war - we fought against the Russian army three times since the country regained its independence. In 2008, our army showed exemplary heroism. This is one of the clearest arguments of why our country deserved more [from the EU membership candidate status decision]”, Garibashvili said.

We do not compare ourselves to anyone's army, but we, Georgians, survived until today with two main forces: this is our faith, our church and our army, our people, our fighting spirit. Today, unfortunately, this has been put into question”, he added.

The head of the Government underlined he did not “envy the success of anyone”, and was “happy” with the success of Ukraine and Moldova in receiving membership candidate status, but stressed Georgia had deserved the status more than the Associated Trio partners.

We all understand very well that today in the world there is a different state of affairs, very difficult processes are taking place. We must face this peacefully and continue to move forward, to strengthen our country, to strengthen our army, to defend our country, to protect our people”, he said.

[O]ur main dream is that one day we will meet in a united and strong Georgia. This should be the main unifying idea of ​​our nation and our people”, the PM concluded in his comments.