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.