Georgian PM: “destructive” domestic opposition “insulting” EU commissioner in post-visit comments
The head of the Georgian government noted the EU commissioner was “not just an MEP or ordinary bureaucrat” of the bloc but a high-ranking official who had visited on Tuesday “with a specific message for the country”.Photo: Government's press office.
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Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili told the country’s parliament on Friday the “destructive” domestic opposition had “attacked” and “insulted” in a “radical form and expression” Oliver Varhelyi, the European Union commissioner for neighbourhood and enlargement, following the Georgian visit of the country’s “true friend”.
Garibashvili said the domestic opposition was “not happy” either with the “success” and “progress” of the country’s European integration or with “positive evaluations” of the process by international partners, and claimed “some members” of the opposition who had criticised the “positive assessments” towards the country were “filled with envy”.
The head of the Georgian government noted the EU commissioner was “not just an MEP or ordinary bureaucrat” of the bloc but a high-ranking official who had visited on Tuesday “with a specific message for the country”.
Speaking at a press briefing with Garibashvili in Tbilisi during the visit, Varhelyi said in the “coming weeks and months” Georgia would have to “make a big effort to show that it is ready to become a candidate for European Union membership”, emphasising the outcome would only happen through united efforts of all players “inside and outside” the country.
The commissioner also pointed out he was happy to see the steps being taken in the country for the EU integration, including the “important decisions” and proposals being prepared in the Georgian parliament.
In his comments following the visit, Varhelyi on Friday tweeted the partnership between Georgian authorities and the EU was preparing the country for membership in the bloc. The remark followed the EU commissioner’s recognition of the “active work” of the Georgian government on fulfilling the conditions outlined by the EU for granting the country the membership candidate status.