German chancellor: We are people of Europe, our voice must resound throughout Europe, from Lisbon to Tbilisi, beyond
The chancellor stressed he was “personally” committed to the enlargement of the EU, as it would be beneficial for all and noted that the candidate countries, which would meet the criteria, would be supported. Photo: German federal government press office
Tweet 
Share
As Russia seeks to redraw the boundaries between freedom and autocracy, “we are the people of Europe”, our voice must resound throughout Europe, from the Mediterranean to the North Sea, from Lisbon to Tbilisi and beyond, the German chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Saturday at the Party of European Socialists congress in Berlin, in which the Georgian delegation is participating.
Together, with the Party of European Socialists, we shall lay the foundation for a Europe of freedom, security and democracy”, Scholz said, noting this would protect the European values “both internally and externally” and the future had to be “shaped boldly".
Together @PES_PSE, we shall lay the foundations for a #Europe of freedom, security and democracy. As Russia seeks to redraw the borders between freedom and autocracy, "We are the people of Europe!" – the appeal of the protesters in 1989 – must resound throughout Europe.
— Olaf Scholz (@OlafScholz) October 15, 2022
The German chancellor said he was “glad” that in June the European Council “unanimously” agreed to grant the candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova and “in the future” to Georgia and the Western Balkan countries as part of “free and democratic” Europe.
We gave a promise to the candidate countries of the Western Balkans almost 20 years ago and these words must now be followed by action. This is what the Socialist Party of Europe stands for and it is good for us if we want to uphold values in the world of 10 billion people in the future. With 27, 30 or 36 states, with more than 500 million citizens, the EU will be able to bear even more strongly in the world”, Scholz noted in his address.
The chancellor stressed he was “personally” committed to the enlargement of the EU, as it would be beneficial for all and noted that the candidate countries, which would meet the criteria, would be supported.
The EU will be able to accept new members only if it maintains the impetus of European expansion, laying the foundations for a wider EU”, the German official added.
Georgian parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday said the resolution, adopted by the Party of European Socialists congress in Berlin, has been “another proof” that Georgia has been enjoying “great support” in Europe on its European Union integration path.
Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, as well as the Western Balkans countries, are members of the European family, António Costa, the prime minister of Portugal said on Saturday at the international congress of the Party of European Socialists in Berlin, in which the Georgian delegation is participating.
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.
The chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, said on Wednesday at the joint press conference with Irakli Garibashvili, the Georgian prime minister, that Germany would help Georgia on its way to Europe.
German chancellor Olaf Scholz’s statement that Europe should expand from Lisbon to Tbilisi is “particularly pleasant and important” to Georgia, as Germany has a special role in making relevant decisions in the direction of European integration, Irakli Kobakhidze, the chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party told reporters on Saturday.
Georgian parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday praised Germany’s role in and support for his country’s European integration agenda, at an event in Berlin marking the 30th anniversary since the establishment of the diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The “friendly and productive” ties between Georgia and Germany were discussed on Wednesday in a meeting between the Georgian parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili and Bärbel Bas, president of the German Bundestag.
Nikoloz Samkharadze, the chair of the Georgian parliament's foreign affairs committee, on Thursday noted German support for granting the European Union membership candidate status to Georgia, in remarks over his visit to meet colleagues in the Bundestag.
Georgian parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili and his parliamentary delegation on Friday discussed the "difficult" security situation in the South Caucasus region with members of the South Caucasus parliamentary group of the German Bundestag.
The “solid partnership” and “close” friendly relations in various directions between Georgia and Germany were discussed on Saturday by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a meeting held within the framework of the ongoing Munich Security Conference.