Georgian FM, EU Commission Vice-President review country’s integration process

Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and Josep Borrell, the Vice-President of the European Commission and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on Wednesday reviewed matters related to Georgia’s European integration in Brussels. 

The discussion came ahead of the Commission's interim report in the coming months about the country’s alignment with the EU framework. The body is also scheduled to produce a final report in October and issue its recommendations to the European Council whether to grant Georgia the membership candidate status, which the country applied for last year. 

Glad to meet with EU HR/VP @JosepBorrellF. We exchanged views on ????????'s European integration process, including addressing the 12 priorities set out in EU Commission's Opinion, as well as on reform implementation agenda. We also spoke about the security environment in the region. pic.twitter.com/5jqVBLJrlO

— Ilia Darchiashvili (@iliadarch) March 22, 2023

• Georgian FM in “important meetings” with EU Commission to facilitate European integration - Ambassador

Georgia’s foreign office on Wednesday said the FM had provided the EU official with “comprehensive information” over the country’s implementation of the 12-point conditions outlined by the bloc in June 2022 for granting the status to Georgia. 

Open exchange with @iliadarch on necessary reforms on Georgia’s EU path & importance of implementing all Venice Commission recommendations. Highlighted the important role of civil society.

Discussed regional security situation and EU support to strengthen Georgian resilience. pic.twitter.com/gkyyMtIy8p

— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) March 23, 2023

The meeting also highlighted “successful reforms” carried out by Georgia over the years, which Darchiashvili said were reflected in the Commission's “positive” 57-page analytical report on Georgia published in February. 

The Georgian official stressed the importance of obtaining the bloc’s membership candidate status by his country later this year, and said he hoped his Government's efforts would be “properly evaluated”.