Swedish ambassador: EU has opened door to Georgia, “clearly recognising” country’s European perspective

Ulrik Tideström, the ambassador of Sweden to Georgia, on Tuesday said the European Union had opened its door to Georgia and “clearly recognised” the country’s European perspective.

EU leaders have also said the future of Georgia and its citizens “lies in the EU”, the Swedish diplomat noted, with the country now having a “homework to do” over the matter.

Tideström said he hoped Georgia would use the opportunity and implement the conditions for receiving the membership candidate status from the bloc.

The European Union opened its door to Georgia. We have clearly recognised the European perspective of Georgia and the leaders of the European Union have also stated that the future of Georgia and its citizens lies in the European Union. The EU has also given Georgia the opportunity to obtain the candidate status when the priority list is fulfilled. So the door is open”, he said.

“Homework is now for Georgia to do. I sincerely hope that Georgia will use this opportunity and fulfil the 12 priorities in substance and also within the framework of a broad and inclusive process. So now it depends on Georgia. We will of course continue to support within this process and beyond it”, Tideström concluded in his comments.

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 are addressed by the Georgian government.