Georgian Ambassador to France hails country’s “distinctly positive” position on Georgia’s EU integration

Georgian Ambassador to France, Gotcha Javakhishvili on Thursday said France’s position on Georgia’s European Union integration was “distinctly positive” over the last few months, noting the country positively evaluated the reforms carried out by the Georgian authorities.

Javakhishvili said France was one of the “sceptical” countries in the past about granting Georgia the EU membership candidate status, but now the country “believes the only right decision for Georgia is to join the European family together with Ukraine and Moldova”, taking into account the Georgian people’s aspirations, Government’s reforms and the current political context.

The Ambassador noted Georgia could become “a very good partner” for Europe in terms of security, transit, energy security and other areas.

• Georgian PM, French President review cooperation, EU integration

Javakhishvili highlighted “a very cordial” meeting between the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Georgian PM, as part of his visit to France to participate in the Paris Peace Forum, was hosted with “special honour and the highest protocol” by the French President, the Ambassador stressed, emphasising the officials had discussed the next steps to be made and the successful reforms “that should bring Georgia to the final [EU] membership”.

Macron congratulated Garibashvili on yesterday’s decision of the European Commission, recommending the European Council to grant Georgia its membership candidate status next month, Javakhishvili added.