European Parliament Vice-President hopes for “positive” decision on Georgia’s EU candidacy

Othmar Karas, the first Vice-President of the European Parliament, on Monday said he hoped there would be a “positive” decision on granting Georgia the European Union membership candidate status later this year.

In his remarks over the matter, Karas highlighted “very good” relations with Georgian politicians, and further pointed out the EU “supports Georgia and I think we are on the right track, and we have also made good progress for further close cooperation”.

I very much hope that at the end of the year there will be a positive decision and Georgia will be granted the candidate status. It is difficult to make predictions in advance”, he added.

“I know very well that the Chair of the [Georgian Parliament’s] European Integration Committee, Maka Botchorishvili, is actively working, constantly holding meetings in Strasbourg and Brussels on candidate status and fighting for Georgia's place in the European family”, Karas said.

The official also stressed it was “clear” to him that the future of Georgia was in the European Union.