EU’s turn to show in word, action that it envisions its future with Georgia - Parliament Speaker
“The European future of our country [Georgia] is a well-thought-out value and pragmatic choice of the Georgian population, and European values are an integral part of Georgian culture and national identity”, he stressed. Photo via Parliament of Georgia
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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.
In his speech, Papuashvili highlighted the “particular importance” of upcoming months to lay a “solid foundation” for taking the next step on the path to EU membership - granting Georgia candidate status and noted the country expected that subsequent assessments and relevant decisions of the EU would be fair, taking into account Georgia's progress and the broader geopolitical context.
The European future of our country [Georgia] is a well-thought-out value and pragmatic choice of the Georgian population, and European values are an integral part of Georgian culture and national identity”, he stressed.
Photo via Government Administration
Georgian official said the EU's foundation was based on the understanding that “there is no alternative to peace” and noted it was the reason why the EU was so appealing to the country, as Georgians were always well aware of the price of the struggle for freedom, which it had paid many times.
Papuashvili highlighted that Georgia had contributed to the development of European social state and ideas of equality, as Georgia “was the first European country where, at that time, the most progressive party carrying social-democratic ideas came to power” and was second after Norway to elect women to parliament. Establishing the European ideas of freedom, equality, and justice is not a process of adopting foreign principles, but rather, “returning to the roots” of Georgian statehood, he added.
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.
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.
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.
Georgia will celebrate Europe Day with events over the weekend in the country’s capital Tbilisi, the Government Administration announced on Tuesday.
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”.
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.
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.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and his Maltese counterpart Angelo Farrugia on Monday discussed bilateral cooperation, prospects of further strengthening legislative ties and Georgia’s European aspirations.