PM highlights Georgia’s progress on EU integration path to parliament
In his remarks before the Georgian parliament, Garibashvili noted Georgia was “10 points ahead” of the two fellow membership aspirant countries “in all directions” relevant to membership status criteria. Photo: Government Administration
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Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday said the European Council granting European Union membership candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova “in advance” in June had been a “political decision”.
In his remarks before the Georgian parliament, Garibashvili noted Georgia was “10 points ahead” of the two fellow membership aspirant countries “in all directions” relevant to membership status criteria.
“We have heard statements from European leaders that granting candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova in advance was a political decision because Ukraine is at war and Moldova is in a state equal to war. No-one anywhere disputes that Georgia is 10 points ahead of Ukraine and Moldova in all directions”, Garibashvili said.
The head of the government added both Ukraine and Moldova had been given the candidate status with the same reservations that were defined for Georgia.
“We were and are the leading state among the Eastern Partnership countries [in terms of EU integration]. Nothing has changed, except for one thing - the status”, the PM told lawmakers.
“We have heard statements from European leaders that this decision was driven by one particular reason. I don't want to quote [but] we heard direct statements from several leaders that since Ukraine is at war, therefore they made a political decision; and Moldova, since it is in a state equal to the war and in a very difficult situation [the same decision was made]”, he continued.
Garibashvili stressed the European Council granting Georgia the European perspective was a “historic” decision, adding it was “clearly and unequivocally” stated that the country would become a “member of the European family”.
“I repeat the words of Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel and many other European leaders who have unanimously recognised that this is a historic decision. With this, this one cycle has been closed, crowning our work - and most importantly, fruitful work - of many years”, Garibashvili concluded.