Georgia can close accession negotiations with EU “more rapidly” than any other country - Parliament official
In an interview with Imedi TV channel, Samkharadze noted the “good experience” of implementing reforms, “solid institutions” and “a very strong civil sector” could enable Georgia to go through the negotiation process faster. Photo via Parliament of Georgia
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Nikoloz Samkharadze, the Georgian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee Chair, on Friday said Georgia could close accession negotiations with the European Union, once the bloc would open it with the country, “much more rapidly” than any other country.
In an interview with Imedi TV channel, Samkharadze noted the “good experience” of implementing reforms, “solid institutions” and “a very strong civil sector” could enable Georgia to go through the negotiation process faster.
Unfortunately, today Ukraine is a victim of aggression, and therefore, it is much more difficult to carry out reforms for the country at war”, he added.
Georgia was granted EU membership candidate status on December 14, after the country officially applied for the bloc’s membership on 3 March 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Charles Michel, the European Council President, on Thursday said the Council granted Georgia the European Union membership candidate status.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Friday expressed the ruling team’s confidence the country would join the European Union before Ukraine and Moldova.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Wednesday asserted the country’s authorities were committed to fulfilling the “historical mission” of the country’s European integration, a task he said had been “entrusted” to the authorities by the people.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday said the Georgian Government had “successfully achieved” the “first of two paramount steps” on the country’s European Union membership path.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Saturday said obtaining the European Union membership candidate status by the country was “a successful completion” of one stage and the beginning of a new one on the EU integration path.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday commended the “shared commitment” of his Government and the country's public in obtaining the European Union membership candidate status this month.
Georgia's Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze on Tuesday labelled the country's candidacy for the European Union as a "pivotal moment not only in the last decade but since gaining independence” from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday said Georgia would be “completely ready” to become a member of the European Union by 2030.
Nikoloz Samkharadze, the Georgian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee Chair and the Head of the country’s Parliamentary Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, will participate in the snap presidential election of Azerbaijan on Wednesday.