Parliament Committee Chair says “essential” for EU to recognise Georgia's “commitment, achievements” by initiating accession talks “without further delay”

Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the European Integration Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Monday said it was “essential” for the European Union to recognise Georgia's “commitment and achievements” by initiating accession talks with the country “without further delay”.

In her speech at a meeting of representatives of the European Union and membership candidate countries in Hungary’s capital city of Budapest, Botchorishvili highlighted the need for a “fair and result-oriented” EU enlargement process to succeed.

The Georgian official noted the strategic importance of the bloc’s enlargement was “undeniable” in this “increasingly complex” geopolitical context.

Last year, the EU granted candidate status to Georgia, the most vulnerable country in Europe with the firmest European aspirations and commitments. We know very well the taste of Russian aggression. We have experienced how challenging it is to transform a country without any security guarantees while facing continuous Russian military presence in occupied Georgian regions”, she said.

The official highlighted “significant and undeniable progress” made by the Georgian Government in turning the country into an “attractive place with great possibilities”, to contribute to a “better European future”.

However, the delay in starting accession negotiations with Georgia could jeopardise this progress and can be used as a destabilising tool, like two years ago when Georgia was refused candidate status, based on ungrounded perceptions, unlike Ukraine and Moldova. Strengthening Georgia's path towards accession is an investment in Europe's security, stability and prosperity. Therefore, it is essential that the EU recognises Georgia's commitment and achievements by initiating accession talks without further delay”, she noted.

Botchorishvili further thanked Olivér Várhelyi, the European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, for his “important and excellent work in this turbulent and historic time”.