Ruling party Secretary decries “paradox” of EU status for CIS member state in contrast to absence of candidacy for Georgia’s “advanced reforms and democracy”
In a clear reference to Moldova, which is still a member of the Russian-influenced regional intergovernmental organisation CIS - formed following the collapse of the USSR - Mdinaradze noted the ruling Georgian Dream party had “enshrined the inviolability” of the country’s European path in its constitution. Photo: Parliament of Georgia
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Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday said it was a “paradox” that a Commonwealth of Independent States member state enjoyed the European Union membership candidacy, while Georgia, which he said was “advanced in terms of reforms and democracy”, had yet to receive the status.
In a clear reference to Moldova, which is still a member of the Russian-influenced regional intergovernmental organisation CIS - formed following the collapse of the USSR - Mdinaradze noted the ruling Georgian Dream party had “enshrined the inviolability” of the country’s European path in its constitution.
In terms of the reforms and the quality of democracy, Georgia is far ahead of its two friendly countries [Ukraine and Moldova] that have been granted EU membership candidate status. However strange this may be, this is a fact - the friendly country [Moldova] that has retained its place in the CIS has received the membership candidate status, while we have not, which is at least strange”, the GD official said.
On June 24, the European Council granted the membership candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova, and said it would be ready to grant the same status to Georgia once the outstanding priorities outlined by the European Commission were addressed by the Georgian Government.
On July 1, the ruling Georgian Dream party presented its strategy for fulfilling the 12-point conditions outlined by the European Council for granting the country the membership candidate status.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday said Georgia’s “track record of Europeanisation” made the country a “deserving candidate” for European Union membership.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday called for an enlargement of the European Union to eventually include Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.
United States Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan on Friday called the 12-point conditions of the European Council “the ticket for Georgia getting its candidate status” and said their fulfilment was the “priority” for the Georgian people.
European Union Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell on Thursday said it was "very important for everyone in Georgia to realise” that the EU’s decision to “open the door” to Georgia with the European Council’s move to grant the country the European perspective was a “truly historic” moment.
Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday, announced that the party would not be presenting a candidate for the position of Public Defender, and the nomination of a candidate would be “completely entrusted” to the opposition and civil sector.
Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s European Union Integration Committee, on Friday said Georgia was at a “new stage” in its relations with the European Union and called for making “full use” of “new opportunities” as part of the EU enlargement policy.
The next meeting of the European Union-Georgia Association Council will host discussions on relations between the sides, reforms and sectoral cooperation and more in Brussels on Tuesday, the Council of the EU said on Friday.
Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Friday said the Georgian Government had not deviated from the path that “involves joining the European family”.
Georgian Parliament on Thursday adopted the draft amendments to the regulations on the procedure of electing a new Public Defender with 80 votes at the second reading of the bill.