Gov't has "a lot of progress" in EU candidate status work, expectations “quite positive” - PM
He said the Government had "done its best” to be granted the status and had “made it through to the end despite numerous attempts of destruction and sabotage” from domestic opposition as well as efforts of unspecified forces "both local and external to hinder the process in any manner”. Photo: PM's Press Office
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday said his Government had made "a lot of progress" on obtaining the European Union membership candidate status later this year and added expectations were “quite positive” about the outcome of the work.
Garibashvili stressed the work with the EU Commission and its structures was being “actively” carried out, with “final clarifications” being made on fulfilment of the conditions for the status, while also announcing his upcoming visit to Brussels.
He said the Government had "done its best” to be granted the status and had “made it through to the end despite numerous attempts of destruction and sabotage” from domestic opposition as well as efforts of unspecified forces "both local and external to hinder the process in any manner”.
The PM said Georgia" deserved" to be granted the candidate status because of his Government’s efforts, mobilisation of the country’s citizens and expression of their will, and noted the bloc’s 2022 decision not to grant Georgia the status was “absolutely unacceptable, unjustified and a gross mistake” by the Union.
The Government head also wished success to countries that were granted the status last year, and added his “main focus and attention” was on his country and the efforts that his Government had accomplished.
In his comments on the ruling made by the country’s Constitutional Court on Monday to back President Salome Zourabichvili’s impeachment - initiated by the ruling Georgian Dream party last month for her recent foreign visits without the Government's authorisation - Garibashvili said it would have “no effect” on Georgia’s European integration path and claimed it was the Government’s "obligation" to "protect the country’s Constitution and law".
He also said the Government's actions were a “positive signal” for Brussels as they were “setting an example” for the protection of the law and the Constitution.