Danish FM says EU “must keep” Georgia, other aspirant countries “close”
In his address at the University of Copenhagen, Rasmussen noted the bloc must support the European choice of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, and the steps taken by them in their European integration process. Photo: Denmark MFA / Twitter
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Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen on Friday said Georgia's rapprochement with the European Union was in the interest of the bloc itself, and said the EU must keep the countries aspiring for membership “close”.
In his address at the University of Copenhagen, Rasmussen noted the bloc must support the European choice of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, and the steps taken by them in their European integration process.
The top Danish diplomat, who this week visited Georgia’s capital city of Tbilisi to unveil the Danish Embassy in the country, stressed the progress of the Associated Trio countries and their rapprochement with the European Union was in the interest of the bloc itself.
“If we don't help these countries achieve their goals, others will intervene - internal or external forces that are closer to Russia's influence”, Rasmussen said.
He added EU accession was a time-bound process that may take five, 10 or even 15 years, but added “we must keep these countries close”.
I am not saying that Georgia will become a member of the European Union tomorrow, despite the fact that this country has done a lot in terms of reforms and decisions. It should also be noted that, in reality, Georgia was much further ahead than Ukraine when the war began. It means internal processes in the country, reforms, state institutions, anti-corruption environment and others”, Rasmussen noted.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and his Danish counterpart Lars Løkke Rasmussen on Monday unveiled the Danish Embassy in Georgia’s capital city of Tbilisi.
Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, who is on a visit to Georgia, on Monday said his country’s Government supported Georgia's European aspirations.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday welcomed Denmark’s support for his country’s Euro-Atlantic integration aspirations and the opening of the country’s Embassy in Tbilisi, in a meeting with the visiting Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Monday hosted his Danish counterpart Lars Løkke Rasmussen in an official meeting where he pledged Tbilisi remained committed to international sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine last year.
Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday claimed a part of the domestic opposition was “doing everything to hinder” the country’s European integration and disrupt upcoming decisions on whether it would receive the European Union membership candidate status.
Maaike van Koldam, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Georgia, on Monday called on all domestic political parties to “work together”, “unite to overcome differences”, end polarisation of the domestic political scene and fulfil the European Union conditions for granting the country the membership candidate status.
Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday pledged all conditions set by the European Union for granting the country the membership candidate status later this year would be implemented “soon”.