European Commission recommending Georgia’s EU candidacy result of people’s, Govt’s efforts - Patriarch

The Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia's Orthodox Church Ilia II on Thursday said yesterday’s decision of the European Commission, recommending the European Council to grant Georgia its membership candidate status next month, was a result of the efforts of the Georgian people and the Government.

In the letter released by the Patriarchate of Georgia, His Holiness congratulated everyone “on this success” - the Commission positively evaluating the steps taken by the Georgian authorities.

Over the years, European Commissioners and other representatives of the European Union have always emphasised that the unique culture of Georgia is an integral part of European culture and that the preservation and development of our country's Christian traditions, spiritual values and, in general, its ancient culture are important for the bloc itself”, the Patriarch said.

His Holiness stressed the church “always supported” European integration and expressed hope Georgia would “make a valuable contribution” to the further development of “the great European family”.

The Commission recommended the EU candidacy for Georgia with nine conditions on Wednesday, after the country had officially applied for EU membership in March 2022, shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and had been granted a European perspective and a reform agenda to obtain the bloc’s candidacy.