PM: EU granting European perspective to Georgia “recognition of progress”
He also highlighted “big security and economic challenges” for the international community and Georgia created by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, adding his country maintained a “very strong” economic growth, as well as political and economic stability despite the circumstances.Photo: Government's Administration.
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The European Council’s decision on granting the European perspective to Georgia is a “recognition of the progress” achieved by the country over the years, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Friday at a joint briefing with Karl Nehammer, the Federal Chancellor of Austria.
Garibashvili welcomed the “historic” decision of the European Commission to recommend to the Council to grant Georgia the European perspective, adding his Government had already started work on fulfilling the conditions established by the EU authorities for granting the membership candidate status to the country.
“We [the ruling team] came up with the initiative to involve not only the Government, but also opposition parties and representatives of the civil sector to participate in this process [of fulfilling the conditions], so that this process becomes inclusive and there is broad involvement - we guarantee this to our partners", Garibashvili noted.
The PM also said he “highly” appreciates the “friendship, relationship and cooperation” with Austria and noted he had spoken with Nehammer about “priority areas” for the two Governments to focus on “over the coming months and years”. Garibashvil highlighted the “great potential” for further deepening and strengthening mutual cooperation in economy, trade, security and more.
Had a great meeting w/????????'s @karlnehammer on expanding our active political & economic relations. Grateful for ????????'s support to ????????'s sovereignty & territorial integrity along w/ our ???????? aspirations. Strongly hope to broaden the scope of our future partnership in all formats! pic.twitter.com/DipQOKug8O
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) July 8, 2022
Garibashvili also emphasised the Austrian Chancellor had “once again” confirmed readiness of his country to help Georgia “in various directions”, and praised Austria as the “best example” for Georgia’s development.
He also highlighted “big security and economic challenges” for the international community and Georgia created by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, adding his country maintained a “very strong” economic growth, as well as political and economic stability despite the circumstances.
"In terms of security, we have a challenge related to the occupation. A large part of our territory is occupied, and the situation in the occupied territories is full of challenges”, Garibashvili said in reference to the Russian occupation of Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions.
“We are very worried about what is happening in Ukraine, we experienced this in 2008 when we had a full-scale war with Russia. I want to emphasise once again that ending the war should be in everyone's interest. There is no alternative to peace, and we must do everything possible to stop this war, restore peace and stability”, the Georgian PM said.
Georgia has become one of the prominent examples of democracy, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Friday, while pointing to the reduction of complaints involving the country at the European Court of Human Rights.
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg on Friday said his country was “ready to accompany” Georgia on its European integration path and assist the country in reforms related to attaining the European Union membership candidate status.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Friday said it was “very important” to support Georgia on its Western integration both in what the country had already accomplished and in measures still ahead for the process.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday departed for an official visit to Vienna at the invitation of Austria’s Chancellor Karl Nehammer.
The Georgian Parliament is set to start the early work for fulfilling the 12-point outline established by the European Union for granting the country the membership candidate status, with relevant sessions of the lawmaking body scheduled on Thursday.
President of the European Council Charles Michel on Wednesday said that the European Union was ready to grant the membership candidate status to Georgia once the priorities outlined by the bloc are addressed.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Friday said that his country was “clearly committed” to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia, and pointed out the “frozen conflicts” in the Russian-occupied regions of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) and Abkhazia must “not be forgotten”.
The Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Archil Talakvadze, on Thursday called on a part of the domestic opposition to participate in the formats initiated by the ruling Georgian Dream party in the state legislature to address the priorities set by the European Commission in June for the country to receive the European Union candidate status by the end of this year.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday welcomed the first visit of the Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer to Georgia as “historic”, and pointed to the significance of the development as a confirmation of Austria’s “strong support” for the country.