Georgia’s full integration into European, Euro-Atlantic structures “main priority” of Gov’t - PM candidate
“Our goal is to be the best prepared among the [EU] candidate countries by 2030 to become a member of the EU”, he noted. Photo via Parliament of Georgia
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Irakli Kobakhidze, the candidate for the position of the Prime Minister of Georgia, on Wednesday said the Government’s “main priority” was the country’s full integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures, as outlined in the Georgian constitution.
During a meeting with opposition factions in the Parliament, Kobakhidze noted his Government’s foreign policy would be actively aimed at strengthening the country’s foreign positions.
The PM candidate stressed receiving the European Union membership candidate status in December 2023 was “the most important political act” on the European integration path. The Government will continue to work on nine priorities outlined by the EU for opening accession talks with the country, he emphasised, adding the executive body had already approved the “relevant action plan”.
Our goal is to be the best prepared among the [EU] candidate countries by 2030 to become a member of the EU”, he noted.
The cooperation with the strategic partner - the United States will continue to strengthen political partnership, trade and economic ties, as well as relations in defence and security, Kobakhidze said.
He emphasised that Georgia, as an aspirant country of NATO, would also maintain “active” cooperation with the Alliance and participate in joint exercises and training, as well as continue practical and political cooperation with NATO.
Ilia Darchiashvili, the candidate for the position of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, on Wednesday told the Parliament receiving the European Union membership candidate status in December has been a “great and well-deserved” victory for the country.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the candidate for the position of the Prime Minister of Georgia, on Tuesday said the ruling Georgian Dream party was “ready” to “single-handedly” meet the nine priorities outlined by the European Union for opening accession talks with the country.
Paweł Herczyński, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia, on Monday said Georgia had an “advantage” over countries of the Western Balkans in the process of its integration into the bloc.
The Georgian Government’s new state programme For Building the European State, published by the Parliament on Friday, says the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration and further success in this regard, remain a key foreign policy objective under the Constitution of Georgia.
Robin Dunnigan, the United States Ambassador to Georgia, on Wednesday said western integration was “important” for the economic development of the country and for launching visa-free travel with the US.
Sheraz Gasri, the French Ambassador to Georgia, on Thursday wished Irakli Kobakhidze, the candidate for the position of the Prime Minister, a successful implementation of the plan for “Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations”.
Vesselin Valkanov, the Bulgarian Ambassador to Georgia, on Thursday said he believed the new Government would “do their utmost” to continue the “essential” progress for the country’s development.
Peter Fischer, the German Ambassador to Georgia, on Thursday wished success to Irakli Kobakhidze, the candidate for the position of Prime Minister, as well as Georgia on its European integration path.
Georgian Defence Minister Irakli Chikovani on Friday said leaders of NATO viewed Georgia as the “closest partner” among non-member countries, as a credit for the state’s “achievements” of the past 10 years.
Irakli Kobakhidze, Georgia’s newly confirmed Prime Minister, on Friday said his upcoming visit to Brussels would concern “active consultations on all topics” related to bringing the country “even closer” to the European Union.