Dutch Ambassador urges Georgian parties to “work together” on EU candidacy
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. Photo: 1tv.ge
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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.
Commenting ahead of the presentation of the research Challenges of Women Coordinators in Elections in Georgia, van Koldam noted the role of civil society in the process.
[W]e all know there are 12 priorities [set out by the European Commission for Georgia]. There is still a chance, the priorities should be fully implemented. At today's event, we will also discuss gender equality and the involvement of civil society in the processes, which is part of the 12 priorities”, the diplomat said.
“Therefore, I call on all [political] parties to work together, to unite to overcome differences, to overcome polarisation and to fulfil the 12 priorities”, she concluded.
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.
Alec Shelbrooke, the head of the British Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, on Sunday said Georgia's place was in the “Euro-Atlantic space” and noted the country must continue implementing its reforms to prepare for an eventual membership in the alliance.
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”.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday highlighted the ruling Georgian Dream party’s contribution to the country’s European integration process by claiming “no one has done more in this regard over the last 30 years”.
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”.