Foreign dignitaries congratulate Georgia on receiving EU candidacy
Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, highlighted the “strategic decision” and a “day that will remain engraved” in the history of the Union in her comments. Photo: Nino Alavidze / Agenda.ge
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Leaders and officials from governments across the West on Thursday congratulated Georgia on receiving the European Union membership candidate status, following the summit of the European Council that endorsed the bloc’s enlargement package on Thursday.
Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, highlighted the “strategic decision” and a “day that will remain engraved” in the history of the Union in her comments.
Leaders have decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and to grant candidate status to Georgia.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 14, 2023
A strategic decision and a day that will remain engraved in the history of our Union
Proud that we have lived up to our promises and delighted for our partners
Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, noted the bloc had taken a “historic” step towards a “stronger” European family by opening accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, granting candidate status to Georgia and starting negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Today, we take a historic step towards a stronger European family by opening negotiation with Ukraine & Moldova, granting candidate status to Georgia and opening negotiations with Bosnia & Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with membership criteria is reached
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) December 14, 2023
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Gert Jan Koopman, the head of the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission, congratulated Georgia and Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili by saying “your hard work enabled this decision. Tonight we celebrate, but we continue to work for the next stage tomorrow!”.
Congratulations #Georgia and @iliadarch - your hard work enabled this decision. Tonight we celebrate, but we continue to work for the next stage tomorrow! https://t.co/613IxQkx73
— Gert Jan Koopman (@GertJanEU) December 14, 2023
The Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs noted the “truly historic” decision, and further pointed out that “Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina are indispensable parts of Europe”.
Truly historic decision: Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina are indispensable parts of Europe. They deserve to live as free and democratic nations, and at peace!
— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) December 14, 2023
Proud of the European Union tonight!
Congratulations, ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? https://t.co/06rv6EDCpA
Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament, highlighted the “historic day” for the country and for the EU, and further added “we heard you and your European aspirations, and today, Georgia is proud to be given the EU candidate status”.
Congratulations to the people of Georgia on a historic day for the country and for the EU.
— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) December 14, 2023
We heard you and your European aspirations, and today, Georgia is proud to be given the EU candidate status.
This means hope ????????????????
Marija Pejčinović Burić, the Council of Europe's Secretary General, stressed the body was ready to continue supporting Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova in their European Union path.
Je salue la décision aujourd'hui du #EUCO d'ouvrir les négociations d'adhésion à l’UE avec nos États membres #Ukraine et #Moldova, et d'accorder le statut de candidat UE à notre État membre la #Géorgie. Le @coe_fr est prêt à continuer à soutenir ces pays sur leur voie vers l'UE
— Marija Pejčinović Burić (@MarijaPBuric) December 14, 2023
Javier Colomina, the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, congratulated Georgian citizens and authorities on the “historic” day, and stressed that “NATO strongly supports Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations”.
Congratulations to the Georgian people and the Georgian authorities! In a historic day the #EUCouncil has decided to grant candidate status to ????????. #NATO strongly supports Georgia Euro Atlantic aspirations pic.twitter.com/nKBsU8BMIE
— Javier Colomina (@JavierColominaP) December 14, 2023
The Estonian Foreign Ministry highlighted a “great job” done by Georgia in its comments on the decision.
Congratulations to #Georgia ???????? & #Bosnia and Herzegovina ????????!
— Estonian MFA ???????? | ???? #StandWithUkraine (@MFAestonia) December 14, 2023
Great job done by the two countries & a big step for the people. https://t.co/TYQkmiZCpj
The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez highlighted a “historic” day for Europe.
Hoy es un día histórico para Europa.
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) December 14, 2023
Quiero felicitar a Ucrania y Moldavia por la decisión del Consejo Europeo de iniciar las negociaciones para su adhesión a la UE.
También saludamos el reconocimiento del estatus de candidato a Georgia y los avances de Bosnia y Herzegovina.…
In her message, the Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė congratulated “the people of Georgia on the EU candidate status”.
Well deserved and much needed decision to launch ???????? membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova! An incredible work and determination of ????????&???????? governments and societies. In gravest of circumstances they proved it possible to move from candidate status to membership…
— Ingrida Šimonytė (@IngridaSimonyte) December 14, 2023
The French President Emmanuel Macron said “we decide this evening to open negotiations for the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the European Union, and to grant Georgia candidate status. Congratulations!”.
Nous décidons ce soir d’ouvrir les négociations pour l’adhésion de l'Ukraine et de la Moldavie à l'Union européenne, et d’accorder à la Géorgie le statut de candidat. Félicitations !
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 14, 2023
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that “Georgia belongs to our common European home”.
I had a call with @Zourabichvili_S and congratulated her and the entire Georgian people on the important decision to grant Georgia EU candidate status.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 14, 2023
I was glad to receive President Zourabchivili’s congratulations on the #EUCO decision to open Ukraine’s EU accession talks.…
In her congratulatory message, the Moldovan President Maia Sandu noted “this is a historic moment and a significant step for Georgia, our region and Europe”.
Congratulations to Georgia and President @Zourabichvili_S on receiving EU candidate status!
— Maia Sandu (@sandumaiamd) December 14, 2023
This is a historic moment and a significant step for Georgia, our region and Europe.
Moldova stands with you in this journey, as together, we forge a stronger, more united Europe.
Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, welcomed the “important progress” for Georgia.
We welcome the EU’s historic decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, a crucial step toward fulfilling their Euro-Atlantic aspirations. We also welcome important progress for Georgia and continue to support the EU aspirations of the Western Balkans.
— Jake Sullivan (@JakeSullivan46) December 14, 2023
The United States Department of State welcomed the European Council's decision on the bloc’s enlargement by saying “it gives hope and encouragement to these countries, their people, to continue the necessary reforms”.