Council of EU welcomes Georgia’s overall preparation to assume bloc’s membership obligations
The body reiterated the “proper functioning” of democratic institutions, and reforms related to justice and the rule of law, should remain a priority for the country. Photo: European Commission
Tweet 
Share
The Council of the European Union on Tuesday welcomed the overall preparation of Georgia to assume obligations of the bloc’s membership.
In conclusions on European Union enlargement, the body took note of the European Commission’s report on Georgia and its recommendation to grant the country the membership candidate status, by saying it was “look[ing] forward to the forthcoming discussion of the European Council on this matter”.
The Council called on Georgia to demonstrate a “clear commitment” to EU values, continue to progress on the reform agenda and fulfil the conditions specified by the European Commission “inclusively, meaningfully and irreversibly”, in order to further advance towards future membership.
The Council takes good note of the genuine aspirations of the overwhelming majority of Georgian people towards EU membership. The Council welcomes the overall good legislative framework, institutional setup and vibrant civil society, including watchdog organisations, and recalls that these elements provide Georgia with a sound basis to advance democratic and rule of law reforms”, the document said.
The Council also acknowledged the overall progress on public administration reform, public procurement and economic reforms and welcomed the overall preparation of Georgia to assume the obligations of membership, and further encouraged a “sustained” level of alignment with EU acquis and standards and further deepening the sectoral cooperation with the bloc.
The document also called on all political actors in Georgia to demonstrate “constructive” cooperation and dialogue, overcome polarisation and refrain from actions that could further deepen the political tensions and hamper the country’s democratic institutions and reform agenda.
The Council also underlined the importance of combating disinformation, foreign information manipulation and interference against the EU and its values, and called on the Georgian Government to take “meaningful steps” towards this end.
The body reiterated the “proper functioning” of democratic institutions, and reforms related to justice and the rule of law, should remain a priority for the country.
It also underlined its “strong expectation” for Georgia to “substantially increase” its alignment with the bloc’s Common Foreign and Security Policy positions and restrictive measures, including in line with the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Oliver Varhelyi, the European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Policy, on Tuesday said Georgia and its Government “have done their job” and for that they should be granted the EU membership candidate status.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday highlighted the Hungarian Government’s support for Georgia’s European integration.
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.
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.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday said the country’s citizens were expecting a “fair” decision of the European Council on the European Union membership candidate status for the state.
Laurence Boone, the French Minister of State for Europe, on Tuesday said the country’s Government supported the granting of the European Union membership candidate status to Georgia, ahead of the European Council’s anticipated decision on Friday.
Members of the European Parliament on Wednesday called on the European Council to grant Georgia the European Union membership candidate status and open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina after taking “certain steps”, in the Council’s meeting to be held on Thursday and Friday.
Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday highlighted Georgia’s “achieved success” and said the country was “doing well” and was on “the right path”.
Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament, on Wednesday said the EP welcomed the European Commission’s recommendation on granting Georgia the European Union membership candidate status, as well as opening accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina.