Belgian FM: Georgia visit meetings showed “strong and sincere desire” to join EU

Hadja Lahbib, the Belgian Foreign Minister, on Thursday said meetings during her ongoing visit to Georgia had shown a “strong and sincere desire” on the part of the country’s institutions and officials for the country to become a member of the European Union.

Lahbib noted her visit aimed to “explore ways to further assist” the country on its path to joining the bloc.

From the meetings I have already held - including with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in the Office of the Public Defender - it is clear that there is a strong and sincere desire for Georgia to become a member of the European Union. Accordingly, this wish should be realised based on the report of the European Commission and the decision that will be published on December 30”, Lahbib said.

The top Belgian diplomat also stressed the “need to reinforce bonds”, as well as the country’s desire to join the EU.

“We must consider the region’s geostrategic fragility, where borders have not been recognised for decades”, she also noted. 

Lahbib added the EU was participating in “ensuring the stability” of the South Caucasus, with Belgium also involved in the process.