EU candidacy will “solidify” Gov’t’s role as “key contributor” to EU integration - Vice PM
Thea Tsulukiani, the Vice Prime Minister of Georgia, hailed the Government's efforts for Georgia’s EU integration. Photo: Government press office
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Thea Tsulukiani, the Vice Prime Minister of Georgia, on Friday said the anticipated European Union membership candidate status for Georgia this month would “once again solidify” the status of the Georgian Dream Government as the “sole administration” to achieve “genuine progress” for integration into the bloc.
Speaking to the press, Tsulukiani highlighted the Government's commitment as a “pro-Western political force” that she claimed “diligently upholds the will of the Georgian people”, following the positive recommendation of the European Commission to the European Council last month to grant Georgia the status.
"The decision made in Brussels [on November 8] reflects the culmination of the aspirations and spirit of many generations, and this is of utmost significance. Its final confirmation on December 15 is crucial”, she said, and pointed to “grounded beliefs” in the positive outcome.
Georgia applied for EU membership in March 2022 and obtained a European perspective in June of that year. The development followed the Government’s signing of deals for visa-free travel, the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Deal with the bloc since 2014.
Fourteen business associations operating in Georgia on Thursday issued a joint statement in which they called on the European Union to grant the country membership candidate status next month.
The Conference of the European Affairs Committees of the National Parliaments of the European Union on Tuesday endorsed the granting of the bloc’s membership candidate status to Georgia.
The European Commission on Wednesday issued the recommendation for the European Council to grant Georgia the European Union membership candidate status.
Kakha Kaladze, the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party and Tbilisi Mayor, on Saturday said receiving the European Union membership candidate status was essential not only for its Government but for Georgia and the country’s future.
Georgian Deputy Economy Minister Guram Guramishvili on Tuesday highlighted the country’s role in the development of the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia, an initiative involving the European Union and states of Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia.
Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Tuesday said he was confident the country would be granted the European Union membership candidate status this week in a “historic decision” by the European Council.