EU candidate status, then “full membership” gov’t priority - defence minister
In an interview with the Georgian public broadcaster, Burchuladze noted EU membership created the prospect of Georgia becoming a member state of a “collective security”. Photo: MOD of Georgia
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Georgian defence minister Juansher Burchuladze on Tuesday said receiving the European Union membership candidate status before achieving a “full membership” of the bloc was the “top priority” of the Georgian government.
In an interview with the Georgian public broadcaster, Burchuladze noted EU membership created the prospect of Georgia becoming a member state of a “collective security”.
“No one would have thought that the Baltic states would become NATO members so easily, without paying any extra price, so to speak”, he said.
I am sure that we will have the opportunity to do so and receive the [EU membership] candidate status, become a full member of the European Union and then a member state of the collective security”, Burchuladze told the channel.
The minister highlighted the role of the bloc’s collective security in creating “security, guarantees and conditions” for Georgian citizens, adding “we will act with measured steps and reach the final goal” in the process.
Georgian defence minister Juansher Burchuladze on Tuesday said Georgian authorities were “well aware” of threats facing the country and steps that could be required in response to them.
Security challenges in the Black Sea region were discussed on Monday in a meeting between Georgian defence minister Juansher Burchuladze and his Lithuanian counterpart Arvydas Anušauskas.
Georgian defence minister Juansher Burchuladze on Friday said his government was working on the purchase of anti-aircraft and anti-armor equipment.
Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday discussed the country’s new defence code with defence minister Juansher Burchuladze and other officials of the body, with the document involving a modernising of the conscript and reserve systems and further steps to ensure better social conditions for servicemembers.
Georgian defence minister Juansher Burchuladze on Tuesday said his body was working to establish a cybersecurity command with the help of the United Kingdom and other allies, and announced the increase of the defence budget to ₾260 million ($93 mln) next year.
Georgian parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday said the domestic “radical” opposition was campaigning against the country receiving the European Union membership candidate status.