EU accession process of Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova should be accompanied by bloc’s “unwavering support” - PM
The Georgian prime minister on Tuesday reiterated his government's commitment to the country’s “rapid” European integration. Photo: government press office
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The European Union accession process of Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova should be accompanied by “unwavering support” from the bloc’s institutions, Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili told Oliver Varhelyi, the European Union commissioner for neighbourhood and enlargement, in a face-to-face meeting in Tbilisi on Tuesday.
The government press office said in the meeting held before the joint press-conference of the two officials they had discussed the dynamics of Georgia’s implementation of 12-point conditions set by the EU in June for granting the country the membership candidate status, as well as the country’s “significant progress” on its EU path.
Held productive talks w/Commissioner @OliverVarhelyi on topics of ????????-???????? bilateral relations. We are hopeful that our strong ties will grow as we step-up joint efforts to accelerate ????????'s ???????? membership.???????? is committed to pursuing its path of reforms to bring our goals within reach. pic.twitter.com/SMB5O1afRz
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) November 15, 2022
Both officials noted this year had been “busy” with bilateral meetings, which they said confirmed the presence of a “high-level dialogue” between the country and the bloc.
The head of the government said his office was taking “active steps” to meet the conditions for the membership candidate status and the country’s “rapid progress” on its EU integration path, adding “a number of important steps” had already been taken to achieve the goal.
The officials also discussed security challenges sparked by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war - with Garibashvili describing Georgia as the EU’s “reliable partner” in the region - and the implementation process of the EU-Georgia association agreement, signed in 2014.
Following their joint press briefing, the officials were joined by representatives of foreign financial institutions from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, the French Development Agency and the German Reconstruction Credit Bank to discuss funding of projects for Georgia’s economic integration with the bloc.
Held a very interesting extended meeting between the ????????-????????, as well as IFIs. Unique opportunity to plan our way forward & mobilize resources for implementing flagship projects that are so vital for both ????????&????????. pic.twitter.com/1f1IICpFdH
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) November 15, 2022
At the meeting in an extended format, which was also attended by EU representatives and Georgian government members, the officials said economic cooperation was in the interests of both the EU and the country.
They discussed ways to strengthen ties in economy and trade, as well as priority projects in the direction of connectivity in the Black Sea region.
Garibashvili emphasised Georgia's strategic location and its potential to ensure energy supply for Europe. Photo: government press office.
Garibashvili highlighted strategic projects would further deepen the relations between the EU and the South Caucasus region, and would bring his country’s EU integration process to a “qualitatively new level”.
He also said Georgia’s strategic location could play an “important role” for diversifying transport routes and ensuring energy supply to Europe.