MEP: Georgia’s work on EU membership conditions gives us “great hope”

McAllister emphasised EU enlargement remained a process based only “on merit” and required implementation of relevant reforms. Photo: European Parliament

Agenda.ge, 20 Jul 2022 - 16:17, Tbilisi,Georgia

The fact that “serious work” on the implementation of the 12-point conditions outlined by the European Union to Georgia for membership is underway and both the ruling party and the opposition have presented their plans has “given us great hope”, David McAllister, the Head of a European Parliament delegation said in a joint press conference with Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili in Tbilisi on Wednesday.

McAllister also stressed the EU had “always actively encouraged” the parties in Georgia to reach an agreement on the relevant basic reforms, development of democracy and the strengthening of the rule of law, which he called “important” for the country.

McAllister emphasised EU enlargement remained a process based only “on merit” and required implementation of relevant reforms.

During their ongoing visit to Georgia, the MEPs will meet Government members, the Speaker and members of the Parliament, Prime Minister, leaders of the ruling Georgian Dream party and representatives of the opposition, as well as civil society representatives.

In his comments, McAllister noted the delegation would mainly discuss Georgia's application for EU membership, calling the decision by the EU to grant Georgia the European perspective last month “truly historic”. He  said the move meant a “recognition” that the European structures supported the “European future” of the country and were ready to bring it closer to the bloc. 

He also said he believed the country should solve certain “priority issues” in order to receive the candidate status for membership, adding Georgian citizens deserved to “live peacefully and safely in a free, democratic and prosperous country”.