Lithuanian, Latvian, Finnish FMs vow support for Georgia EU candidacy
The European Council will decide on Georgia’s EU candidacy this week. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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Lithuanian, Latvian and Finnish foreign ministers on Monday pledged their governments' support for Georgia to be granted the European Union membership candidate status in press comments on the sidelines of the bloc’s Foreign Affairs Council session, which came ahead of the EU’s Eastern Partnership Ministerial meeting in Brussels.
In his press comments, Gabrielius Landsbergis, the Lithuanian FM, said the “fate” of the EU’s EaP initiative - a format launched in 2009 with Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine - was set to be determined on Friday, when the European Council is scheduled to decide on Georgia’s candidacy and accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova.
The official expressed optimism about witnessing a “transformed” Eastern Partnership, envisioning a closer alignment of participant countries, including Georgia, with Europe, before reaffirming his Government's support for the country’s integration.
Echoing a similar sentiment, Finnish FM Elina Valtonen affirmed her country’s commitment to EU enlargement and praised Georgia's progress in implementing various reforms.
Hailing a “good discussion” with the Georgian side, the official said “we are positive about the signs of progress achieved in terms of many reforms. I am sure that we will find a good answer for Georgia".
Latvian Foreign Minister Krišjānis Kariņš also expressed his anticipation and hope Georgia would be granted the requested status this week, pointing to the “palpable desire” of the country’s citizens and the Government's “clear intention” to join the bloc.
Pledging Latvia's commitment to assisting Georgia in its reform efforts, the FM praised the country’s efforts and noted “will do everything we can to help Georgia on the path of reforms".
Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs, on Monday highlighted the “good news” of Georgia advancing towards European Union membership.
Pawel Herczynski, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia, on Sunday expressed his satisfaction that the Georgian Government had "promptly" submitted an action plan on the implementation of the nine priorities set out by the European Commission for the country’s European Union membership candidate status to Brussels.
Charles Michel, the European Council President, on Friday highlighted Georgia’s commitment to the European Union integration remained “strong”.
Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs, on Thursday said he had “optimistic” expectations regarding the European Commission’s upcoming decision on Georgia’s EU membership candidate status.
The European Union’s enlargement agenda was discussed on Monday in a meeting between the Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and Simon Mordue, the Chief Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of the European Council.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Monday highlighted the “positive dynamics” of ties with France in his meeting with the French counterpart Catherine Colonna.
Pascual Ignacio Navarro Ríos, the Spanish Secretary of State for European Union Affairs, on Tuesday pledged his Government, the current Chair of the Council of the European Union, would act in line with the recommendations of the European Commission for Georgia to be granted EU membership candidate status.
Romanian, Finnish and Croatian officials for European affairs on Tuesday pledged their governments’ support for Georgia’s European Union candidacy ahead of the European Council’s decision on the status this week.