Italy pledges support for Georgia in implementing EU candidacy conditions - Parliament Committee Chair
Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the European Integration Committee of the Georgian Parliament, is visiting Italy along with the parliamentary delegation members. Photo: Parliament press office
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Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the European Integration Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Thursday said the Italian Government had pledged support for her country’s authorities in their implementation of the conditions outlined by the European Union last year for granting its membership candidate status to Georgia.
After meetings at the Italian foreign office, the lawmaker said the discussions involved Georgia’s relations with the bloc and Tbilisi’s expectations for the integration process.
Botchishvili noted the Italian officials also shared their views about the bloc’s future and its enlargement.
The Italian officials voiced supportive positions on ensuring aid to Georgia to meet the bloc’s candidacy conditions”, Botchorishvili said, stressing the importance of the upcoming EU decision being based on the “needs of both the bloc and the [South Caucasus] region”.
The EU is expected to decide on Georgia’s membership candidate status by the end of this year, following the country’s formal application for membership in March 2022.
Vakhtang Makharoblishvili, Georgia's Ambassador to the European Union, on Tuesday said the country’s Government was working to “open all doors” to get “as close as possible” to the bloc, in a meeting of ambassadors of Georgia to EU member states in Berlin.
Cooperation between Georgia and Germany and the country’s European integration process were discussed in a meeting between the Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and Tobias Lindner, the Minister of State at the German Foreign Office.
Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the European Integration Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday responded to the Russian Government lifting its ban on flights with Georgia and visa requirements for citizens of the country by saying the moves were designed to “create obstacles” for Georgia’s European integration.
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.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday said the European Union must make a “conscientious and fair” decision on the country’s membership candidate status later this year and allow Georgia to move to the next stage in its European integration process.
Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the European Integration Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Monday said formation of “efficient” supply chains and promotion of transport connectivity across the Eurasian continent were of “strategic importance” for Georgia.
A ceremonial event marking the Italian National Day was held at the Zurab Tsereteli Museum of Modern Art in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi on Friday, organised by the Italian Embassy in the country and Italian Trade Agency.
The Georgian Defence Ministry and a visiting delegation of Italian Armed Forces General Staff discussed the current ties and prospects of future cooperation, signing a bilateral cooperation agreement for 2024.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Wednesday discussed “close and friendly ties” with Italy and the latter’s support for Georgia’s European integration in a meeting with the outgoing Italian Ambassador Enrico Valvo.
Massimiliano D’Antuono, the newly appointed Italian Ambassador to Georgia, on Tuesday presented his credentials to the country’s Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday lauded Italy as a “reliable ally” and highlighted “common European values” in a Tbilisi meeting with Massimiliano D'Antuono, the new Italian Ambassador to the country.