Georgia’s path leads “only to EU”, Gov’t’s main priority is membership of bloc - PM at Europe Day event

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday said Georgia’s path led “only to the European Union” and noted his Government’s main foreign policy priority was the membership of the bloc, in his address at the event celebrating Europe Day in Tbilisi.

Kobakhidze noted he was “confident” that the economic or value-based difficulties presently facing the EU were “temporary” and stressed “it is our duty to the great European figures for each one of us to make a contribution to the revival of the bloc “in the same form” in which it was established by “such great European figures” as Robert Schuman, Jean Monnet, Konrad Adenauer, Winston Churchill, and others in 1950.

Today we are celebrating a very important date, Europe Day. On May 9, 1950, the European Union was established with the signing of the Schuman Declaration, marking the beginning of the golden age in the development of the EU and Europe as a whole that has spanned almost 60 years”, the PM added.

He pointed out the May 9 “irreversibly anchored” values such as the rule of law, democracy, human rights and a welfare state in Europe, and laid the foundation for the lasting peace in the regions, which then “placed solid guarantees for the continuous growth of welfare in the EU and Europe in general”.

I reminisce about the three years I spent in Dusseldorf, in the heart of Europe. I remember my first impression from becoming acquainted with European culture and the level of welfare. This was a very strong impression, and I want us to achieve the same level and a matching degree of welfare here in Georgia”, the PM emphasised.

I believe that Georgia can make its honourable contribution to the revival and development of the EU. Georgia, though a small country, boasts an ancient culture and traditions, and diversity is one of the values cherished by Europe. I believe that Georgia can make a special contribution to the further diversification and development of Europe”, the Head of the Government told the guests of the event.

Kobakhidze affirmed everything was being done to ensure Georgia’s integration into the EU and noted the country was the leader among candidate states “in every way, be it democracy, the rule of law, or the pace of economic development”.

The PM noted he was “convinced” that Georgia would “very soon” become an EU member state, citing his “ambitions statement” in Brussels, in which he said “if any of the candidate countries will be ready for membership by 2030, it will be Georgia”.

Everything is being and will be done to this end, and I am convinced that, in the nearest future, no later than 2030, Georgia will surely become an EU member state. I join you in celebrating this date”, Kobakhidze added.

Marking Europe Day at the Expo Georgia exhibition centre, the guests were also addressed by EU Ambassador to Georgia Paweł Herczyński and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze. The event was attended by representatives of Georgia's executive branch and the diplomatic corps.