Georgian Dream Gov’t has done lot to bring country “even closer” to Europe - PM
Garibashvili “once again” expressed the “full readiness” of the Government leaders to continue the reforms to bring Georgia closer to its “European friends and society”. He emphasised “many common values” connecting Georgia with Europe, noting these values were based on Georgian identity and Christian values, on which “modern Europe has also been founded”. Photo via Government Administration
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The ruling Georgian Dream Government has done a lot, over the last ten years, to bring Georgia “even closer” to Europe, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Saturday during his speech at the opening ceremony of the Europe Day event in the country's capital Tbilisi.
Garibashvili noted Georgians and Europeans were celebrating Europe Day together, as “Georgians have historically considered themselves as part of Europe”, stressing the country’s goal was to become a full-fledged member of the “big European family”.
Photo via Government Administration
The PM highlighted the merits of his Government, including the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU, the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, establishing a visa-free regime and obtaining a European perspective, and stressed that receiving the EU membership candidate status required “more work, more reforms”.
I believe our European friends, the European states will make the only correct political decision this year and grant Georgia and the Georgian people the candidate status, as our country and our people, our Government, deserve it”, the Head of the Government said, adding granting the status would be “symbolic act”, but it would be “very important decision” for the country.
Photo via Governmental Administration
Garibashvili “once again” expressed the “full readiness” of the Government leaders to continue the reforms to bring Georgia closer to its “European friends and society”. He emphasised “many common values” connecting Georgia with Europe, noting these values were based on Georgian identity and Christian values, on which “modern Europe has also been founded”.
And so, dear friends, dear Ambassadors, distinguished guests, I believe that Georgia will become a full member of the big European family and Georgia will enter Europe with its own traditions [...] I wish Europe and our people peace, stability and prosperity”, the Prime Minister said.
The opening ceremony was attended by the EU Ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, diplomatic corps, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, and representatives of the Government. Garibashvili expressed his “sincere admiration” for Herczynski, who addressed the audience in Georgian.
Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Saturday said Georgia would “definitely” become a member of the European family with its “centuries-old” unique culture, traditions, Christian identity, and values.
Pawel Herczynski, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia, on Saturday said “European leaders have decided to expand Europe” and emphasised that Georgia was “one of the potential” candidate countries.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday addressed the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Budapest by stressing his country’s “rightful place” was in Europe and added Georgia “deserved” to receive the European Union membership candidate status by the end of this year.
Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday said efforts made by the Government for ensuring the country’s European integration were “visible and everyone knows this well”.
Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, on Tuesday, by addressing the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, said the European Union would stand by him “every step of the way”.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday, at the opening ceremony of Europe Day in Tbilisi, said “it was time” for the European Union to demonstrate to Georgia, “both in word and action”, that it envisioned its future together with Georgia.
Tbilisi’s hilltop TV tower overlooking Georgia’s capital Tbilisi on Saturday was illuminated in the colours of the European Union flag to mark Europe Day, the Tbilisi City Hall said.
Revaz Javelidze, the Head of the Government Administration, on Saturday said he believed Georgia would soon celebrate the European Union membership candidate status and congratulated guests on Europe Day marked this weekend in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Sunday attended the closing event of Europe Day, having been celebrated this weekend in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi.
Pawel Herczynski, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia, on Sunday said receiving the European Union membership candidate status was the next stage in the country’s integration process and would bring it “even closer” to membership of the bloc.
The partnership dynamics between Georgia and Portugal and prospects of deepening the existing cooperation were discussed on Monday in a meeting between the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Helena Carreiras, the Minister of National Defence of Portugal.