PM reviews EU integration with European diplomats at official dinner
The visiting high-ranking officials are in the Georgian capital to feature in a regional ambassadorial organised by the EU representation in Georgia. Photo: Government Administration
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday hosted visiting representatives of the European Union External Action Service and the European Commission at an official dinner in Tbilisi.
The head of the Government reviewed the country’s European integration process with the diplomats in the informal event, the Government Administration said.
The visiting high-ranking officials are in the Georgian capital to feature in a regional ambassadorial organised by the EU representation in Georgia.
At the dinner hosted by the PM, it was noted the hosting of the ambassadorial in Georgia emphasised the importance of the country in the region for the bloc, including the role of Georgia as a “strong ally” in strengthening cooperation between European and Central Asian countries.
Hosted periodically, the event is used as a forum for discussing EU policy towards countries of a particular region.
Close relations between Georgia and Sweden, the current agenda of cooperation and opportunities for its deepening were discussed on Monday in a meeting between the Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and his Swedish counterpart Tobias Billström.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Sunday told Imedi TV the "patriotic team" of the Government had brought "a lot of benefits" to Georgia “despite challenges”, in comments about its performance in the economy and infrastructure and criticism of the domestic opposition.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Sunday highlighted the status of Georgia’s European course being enshrined in the constitution, noting it was “not subject to any revision”.
The Georgian Government is doing its “utmost” to obtain the status of a European Union membership candidate state and by “merit-based” decision the country deserves the candidate status, the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Sunday in an interview with Imedi TV.
Oliver Varhelyi, the European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on Tuesday said the implementation of the bloc’s conditions for granting Georgia the membership candidate status was the only way for the country to move forward on its European path.
Givi Mikanadze, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday said the Georgian Parliament was on course to complete implementing the priorities set out by the European Commission last year for granting the country a European Union membership candidate status by the end of its spring session.
Aleko Elisashvili, an MP from the Citizens opposition party, on Wednesday called on the United National Movement party and other opposition groups to join the ongoing work at the Parliament for fulfilling the European Union conditions for granting the country the membership candidate status later this year.