Ruling party delegation to raise Georgia’s EU prospects at Party of European Socialists congress in Berlin
Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, chairs the delegation in Berlin. Photo: Georgian Dream press office
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A delegation of the ruling Georgian Dream party chaired by head Irakli Kobakhidze is expected to raise topics related to the country’s European integration process, including the implementation of the European Union’s conditions for Georgia’s membership candidate status, at the Party of European Socialists congress in Berlin between Friday and Saturday.
Kobakhidze said the delegation would also highlight Germany’s “important role” for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration process at the PES congress, which brings together the socialist, social democratic and labour parties of the EU.
Kobakhidze noted leaders from “practically all European countries” would be represented at the congress, including heads of ruling parties and prime ministers.
They [the participants of the congress] have proper information [on the moves of the Georgian ruling party for the EU membership candidacy], but we will provide them with in-depth information about the process. We will use this platform as much as possible to bring our message and our national interests to our partners", said the party chair.
Georgia was granted European perspective by the European Council in June and received a set of recommendations for reforms for obtaining the membership candidate status.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday said he had explained to the members of the EU-Georgia parliamentary association committee that the ruling party had offered “all parliamentary parties” to participate in the process of implementation of the 12-point conditions for obtaining the European Union membership candidate status.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday said a part of the domestic opposition was “vitally interested” in the country not receiving the European Union membership candidate status.
The ruling Georgian Dream party on Friday presented its strategy for fulfilling the 12-point conditions outlined by the European Council for granting the country the European Union membership candidate status later this year.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday said the Government would make “every effort” to receive the status of an European Union candidate country, pointing out the “final political decision” on the matter was for the EU to make.
Germany's role and support for Georgia's EU integration process, and a deepening of mutual cooperation were discussed on Friday in a meeting between Irakli Kobakhidze, the chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, and Lars Klingbeil, the co-leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany.
The resolution adopted by the Party of European Socialists congress in Berlin is “especially important” for Georgia, which emphasises the significance of the European Union candidate status for Georgia and is a “direct appeal” to the European structures to grant the country candidate status, Irakli Kobakhidze, the chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party said on Friday.
Archil Talakvadze, the Georgian parliament vice speaker, on Tuesday said “many people” recognised the imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili as “not an opponent but an ally” of Russian president Vladimir Putin, adding “violations” committed by the former government head and his team over the years had been “only in Russia's interests”.