Tbilisi’s expectations “high” on “deserved” EU candidacy - Parliamentary Committee Chair

David Songulashvili, the Chair of the Committee of Sectoral Economy and Economic Policy of the Georgian Parliament, on Tuesday told the Francophonie Parliamentary Assembly of Europe in Athens the Georgian Government’s expectations were “high” ahead of the European Commission’s report on whether to recommend the European Union membership candidate status for the country.

Speaking at the forum representing 88 national and regional parliaments to discuss political questions and exchange views, the lawmaker stressed his country was facing “one of the most decisive moments” in its history with the Commission’s final report on Wednesday on Georgia’s implementation of the candidacy conditions - the document that will be used by the European Council in December to decide on the country’s status. 

Praising the Government's efforts to take “all actions” to meet the required reform agenda for the status, the MP stressed the country had “excellent readiness” for the integration into the bloc considering reforms and legislative initiatives carried out over the years. 

Our country is advanced in all criteria [for further integration into the bloc]”, Songulashvili said, and added the “vast majority” of the country’s population was supporting Georgia’s candidacy and its EU membership. 

Pointing to “same values, same culture and the way of life”, the MP highlighted “our choice is Europe”, and added the country was also “valuable” for the bloc particularly for ensuring its  energy security through projects like the Black Sea submarine electricity cable, which is expected to transfer green energy to Europe via the South Caucasus. 

Songulashvili also said Georgia had managed to progress despite “severe security challenges” over the years, including the ongoing occupation of 20 percent of the country’s territories by Russia and the practise of “creeping occupation” by the Russian forces.