EU Commissioner: Georgia’s future is in EU

Olivér Várhelyi, the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on Wednesday said Georgia’s future was in the European Union, and noted the country’s “hard work” and fulfilled obligations would be evaluated “objectively”.

In comments at an event marking the selection of Georgia as the focus country of this year’s Europalia arts festival - which will showcase the country in Brussels in the autumn - Várhelyi vowed the bloc would continue to support the country on its way to European integration, and highlighted last year’s decision of the European Council to grant Georgia the European perspective.

I am glad that reforms are underway in Georgia, and we want to see a sustainable and successful process”, he added.

I sincerely believe that Georgia will fulfil the necessary conditions next year, and we will celebrate Georgia's acceptance of EU candidate status”, the Commissioner also noted.

He also said the economic and investment plan between the bloc and the country was the “main tool” bringing them “closer every day”, and emphasised $1.2 billion in related investments, including for the Black Sea submarine electricity cable project for linking the grid of the South Caucasus with EU states.

Várhelyi also pointed out Europalia festival events would demonstrate the connection between Georgians’ “deep love” for their country, their “self-confidence”, the “beauty of Georgia and the strength of Europe”.

This is a great opportunity to explore Georgia's glorious past, rich culture, traditions, modern art, and also see Georgia's recent future”, he emphasised, calling the state a “fundamentally European country, with its heart and soul” and saying it shared “common roots, heritage and values” with the EU.