EU High Representative: bloc’s door open for Georgia, we want to support country on this path
“Georgia should use the short remaining time to address key requirements”, the EU representative noted, stressing the need for all actors to work together “constructively, united” to achieve “a national task” - accession to the EU, adding “unity is more important than ever”. Photo via IPN
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Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative on Thursday said the EU door was open for Georgia and stressed the bloc “wants” to support the country on the path towards EU membership.
In a press conference after he arrived in Tbilisi, Borrel highlighted Georgia as “an important partner” for the EU and noted it was “a crucial time” for the country’s future, as the bloc would consider the next steps in Georgia’s accession and would report on its progress.
Applying for EU membership is a serious commitment, candidate status is not something that countries are entitled to. They need to be earned, it needs to be earned through serious reforms and commitment to EU values”, Borrel emphasised, adding there was “still quite a bit of work to be done” by Georgia in this regard.
He noted that fulfilling bloc’s priorities, outlined for granting its candidate membership status to the country, would “ultimately” improve the lives of Georgian citizens, emphasising that 80 percent of the country’s population supports EU membership.
Georgia should use the short remaining time to address key requirements”, the EU representative noted, stressing the need for all actors to work together “constructively, united” to achieve “a national task” - accession to the EU, adding “unity is more important than ever”.
He said the Union’s commitment to Georgia has also been manifested through financial support, noting the EU has been “the largest provider” of bilateral assistance with almost €340 million in the period 2021-2024.
Georgia’s “important contribution” to the EU’s common security and defence policy was highlighted by the EU official, who also noted Georgia-EU “strong cooperation” in the fields of security and defence and added bloc’s investments in Georgia were increasing the resilience of the country.
Borrel noted that during his meetings with Georgian officials he would discuss progress on the country’s European integration path and the negative consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as reiterate the “clear” European support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Thursday said the visit of Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative, to Georgia “certainly adds a new impetus” to Georgian-EU relations and will have “a significant impact” on the bloc’s decision in December on whether to grant Georgia its candidate status.
Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the European Integration Committee in the Georgian Parliament, on Thursday described the forthcoming visit of Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative, to Georgia this week as “important” for the dialogue between the country and the bloc, ahead of the latter’s decision in December on whether to grant Georgia its candidate status.
Vakhtang Makharoblishvili, Georgia's Ambassador to the European Union, on Thursday hailed the upcoming visit of Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative, to the country as “very important” and a “big message”.
Archil Talakvadze, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday highlighted the upcoming visit of Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative, to the country by calling it a “high-level support for Georgia and a great political event”.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday hosted Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative at an official dinner.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Friday pledged the process of reforms in the country would continue until Georgia became a "full-fledged member of the European Union”.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday said the “main part” of the conditions for Georgia to receive the European Union membership candidate status had been “implemented”, adding there were “a few recommendations that we are actively working on”.
Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative on a visit to Georgia, on Friday stressed “Georgia no doubt belongs to European family”, before revealing the bloc’s “key messages” ahead of its decision later this year on whether to grant Tbilisi its candidate status.
Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs, on Thursday said he had “optimistic” expectations regarding the European Commission’s upcoming decision on Georgia’s EU membership candidate status.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday claimed the European Union’s decision later this year on whether to grant Georgia its membership candidate status would have an influence on the domestic political environment.