Ruling party head: Georgia has “very good” chances to obtain EU candidate status
The GD Head wished success in the process to Ukraine and Moldova, as the countries had also applied for EU membership. Photo: Irakli Kobakhidze/Facebook
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Georgia has “very good” chances to obtain the status of a European Union membership candidate state, ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party Head Irakli Kobakhidze said on Friday, expressing hope the Union would make the decision soon.
Kobakhidze said multiple institutions would be involved in the decision-making process, including the European Parliament and various “executive structures.”
The GD Head also wished success in the process to Ukraine and Moldova, as the countries had also applied for EU membership.
Our three countries, the so-called [Associated] ‘Trio,’ have practically applied [for EU membership] simultaneously. I think the prospects are very good and hopefully, a positive decision will be made," he added.
Kobakhidze pointed out that in order to obtain EU membership, Georgia would have to follow the Association Agenda between the country and the Union.
The only prerequisite for obtaining EU membership - and until then the candidate status - is the Association Agenda, which we are following closely,” Kobakhidze explained.
Launched in 2021, the Associated Trio format unites Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova and aims to enhance their cooperation with the EU.
Georgia officially applied for EU membership on March 3, with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili signing the country’s membership application.
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has praised a “historic day” for Georgia with his signing of the country’s bid for European Union membership on Thursday, saying the move “continues the efforts of our ancestors, which was aimed at unification in a common European family.”
The Government of Georgia is applying for the European Union membership, the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party chairman Irakli Kobakhidze said on Wednesday.
The Government of Georgia, in agreement with its partners, will take consistent steps to ensure the country takes its historical place in the European family, Georgian FM David Zalkaliani said in an interview released by Imedi channel on Wednesday.
“The Associated Trio will work together on common interests for European integration, including the implementation of Association Agreements with the EU and the further development of the EU’s Eastern Partnership initiative. Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova will work together to strengthen political and economic dialogue and sectoral integration with the EU,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry has reported.
COREPER II agreed to invite the EU Commission to present an opinion on each of the applications for EU membership submitted by Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, the French delegation to the European Council tweeted.
The French newspaper Le Figaro launched a poll yesterday on whether the Associated Trio countries - Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia - are “destined to join” the European Union.
Readers can vote on the question through the official website of the paper.
Georgian foreign minister Ilia Darchiashvili will hold meetings in Moldova to discuss bilateral cooperation and the European integration agenda of the two countries on Thursday, the foreign ministry said.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday marked the first anniversary of the country’s formal application to join the European Union by saying the “historic process” of EU integration had become “irreversible” with the bid and would “soon be crowned” with full membership in the bloc.