MEP highlights “very big chances” for Georgia’s EU integration, points to “mutual obligations”

Helmut Scholz, a member of the European Parliament, on Wednesday highlighted “very big chances” of European Union integration for Georgia, noting the country was developing “in the right direction” and pointing to “mutual obligations” over the bloc’s potential enlargement. 

Following a discussion in the EP over the EU’s planned expansion by 2030, the MEP stressed both domestic authorities whose countries were aspiring for the bloc’s membership and the bloc itself should “get prepared” for the process. 

He said governments of aspirant countries should inform their citizens what the bloc’s membership meant and that all laws adopted by the EU over the past 15 years would concern them when invited for membership. 

Speaking about the EU’s obligations, the MEP said the bloc would have to carry out organisational changes for the expansion “in line with the new reality”, and that the promised enlargement “must not be delayed”. 

This expansion should take place with a deep, democratic structure, in accordance with the Copenhagen criteria and the implementation of all criteria - state legislation, rule of law, human rights, labour rights”, he said. 

The European Council has been scheduled to decide on Georgia’s membership candidate status in December, following final assessments of the European Commission in October over the country’s implementation of the reform agenda for the status.