EU Ambassador: candidate status will bring Georgia “even closer” to EU membership
In his remarks at the annual Europe Day event in Georgia, Herczynski noted the goal of EU membership was supported by a vast majority of Georgian citizens. Photo: EU Delegation to Georgia
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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.
In his remarks at the annual Europe Day event in Georgia, Herczynski noted the goal of EU membership was supported by a vast majority of Georgian citizens.
We celebrate Europe Day. Georgia meets this day with a European perspective, it is a great success. [...] This is a historic chance to become a member of a united, secure and economically strong European family. I wish Georgia success on this path”, Herczynski said.
Ulrik Tideström, the Swedish Ambassador to Georgia, highlighted his Government had “always” supported Georgia's European integration.
This is not the first Europe Day celebration in Georgia, but it is the first Europe Day celebration that Georgia sees from a European perspective. Sweden has always supported Georgia's European integration”, Tideström said.
“Georgia's path to Europe is as important for Sweden as its EU presidency. Why? Because we are stronger together, and we need more Georgia both in Sweden and in the EU”, he noted.
The two-day Europe Day events, organised by the Georgian Government Administration, showcased Spanish and Swedish culture, cuisine and traditions in this year’s edition.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Teimuraz Janjalia on Wednesday said the meeting of Georgian ambassadors to European Union member states, set to launch in Berlin later today, would focus on the country’s European integration process.
Pawel Herczynski, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia, on Tuesday highlighted Georgia’s “historic opportunity” to obtain the bloc’s membership candidate status by the end of this year, and eventually become its member, in his message for the annual Europe Day celebrations in the country.