Georgia “one of closest, most important partners” of EU in region - EU Ambassador
Ambassador Herczynski said Georgia had “never been so close” to the EU. Photo: EU in Georgia press office
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The European Union and Georgia share the “common vision” of a “peaceful and prosperous” South Caucasus region, with the country remaining “one of the closest and most important partners” of the bloc in the region, Pawel Herczynski, the EU Ambassador to Georgia, said on Thursday.
Addressing a conference titled “New Security Architecture in Europe and its Impact on Georgia: One Year Since European Perspective” in Tbilisi, Herczynski said Georgia had “never been so close” to the EU, and urged domestic political actors not to underestimate the importance of the European perspective the bloc granted the country last year, following Tbilisi’s formal application for membership.
????"EU & Georgia share a common vision of peaceful & prosperous South Caucasus. Georgia remains one of the EU's most important partners. EU reiterates its firm commitment to support Georgia to achieve peaceful conflict resolution & contribute to the stabilisation of the region." pic.twitter.com/oWXi89x3PY
— EU Delegation Georgia ???????? (@EUinGeorgia) June 15, 2023
Pointing to the EU’s “long and cumbersome enlargement policy”, the Ambassador said those aware of the attitudes towards expanding the bloc “know what a major breakthrough it is for these countries [for Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova] to be part of the enlargement policy”.
Herczynski highlighted the EU had also stated its readiness to grant Georgia its candidacy once the 12 priorities outlined last year would be met by the country’s authorities, adding “Georgia has long ago decided that its place is in the EU. This is a historic choice of Georgia and the Georgian people”.
He noted EU membership required a “strong political will and unwavering dedication” towards fulfilling the membership criteria, which he said needed “unity, hard work and many compromises”.
These are things that are not easy, but they are possible”, said the diplomat.
EU ???????? Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczynski delivered a keynote address today at the conference “New Security Architecture in Europe and Its Impact on Georgia: One Year Since European Perspective”.
— EU Delegation Georgia ???????? (@EUinGeorgia) June 15, 2023
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Full speech:
????EN https://t.co/rFTxZuO8ki
????GE https://t.co/AqWG85jlQ3 pic.twitter.com/kwDVpJnjsJ
Herczynski also pointed out the bloc was aware the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict had “exasperated security challenges” in the South Caucasus region, before pledging the EU’s commitment to support Georgia to achieve “peaceful conflict resolution, as well as to contribute to the stabilisation of the whole region”.
To this end, the EU has continued to step up its support in strengthening Georgia’s resilience”, the Ambassador said.
He reiterated the bloc “firmly supports Georgia's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders”, and highlighted the EU’s “continued engagement” in settling conflicts on the territory of the country with its Special Representative and the EU Monitoring Mission.