Parliament Speaker: Parliament, Government “doing everything” to fulfil EU conditions

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday said the country’s legislative body and the Government were “doing everything” to fulfil the European Union conditions for granting the country the membership candidate status. 

In his remarks over the matter, Papuashvili noted it would be “up to the EU” to “make a fair assessment” and an “appropriate decision” on Georgia’s bid.

The most important thing is that we, the Parliament and the Government, are doing everything to fulfil the EU conditions. You know that several laws have already been adopted [by the Parliament as part of the process]. Before the end of the year, we will have another opportunity to make relevant changes regarding several conditions. After that, it will be up to the EU to make a fair assessment and make an appropriate decision”, Papuashvili said.

He also noted a Georgian Parliamentary delegation continued its visits to EU member states with the aim of introducing the legislative process to partners, with meetings scheduled with counterparts in the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

The main purpose of the visits is to talk with partners about Georgia's progress to the EU, to explain what we are doing to meet the EU conditions. Also, explaining that it was certainly a disappointment for us when we were not granted the status in June”, the head of the legislative body said in reference to the European Council’s decision to instead grant the country the European perspective.

“Everyone already agrees that it was not a valid decision when Georgia was treated differently than Ukraine and Moldova [who received the membership candidate status]. We also hear supportive words from [European partners on the ongoing process for EU conditions implementation]”, Papuashvili concluded.