EU High Representative: PM’s visit “sign” Georgia has chosen European path “very seriously”
The EU official noted Georgia and the EU had a “joint commitment to the unchanging path” that “implies the integration of Georgia into the European Union”. Photo: EU
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Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on Tuesday told the visiting Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze that his trip to Brussels was a “sign that Georgia has chosen the European path very seriously”.
“This is your first visit in this [new] capacity. You have arrived in Brussels and this is a sign that Georgia has chosen the European path very seriously”, Borrell said.
The EU official noted Georgia and the EU had a “joint commitment to the unchanging path” that “implies the integration of Georgia into the European Union”.
“We have moved to a new strategic stage in our relations. However, it is starting now, and this requires new efforts, increased responsibility on the part of the Government, a position that will be taken into account by everyone. Every person, every Georgian, every sector should be involved in this process”, the official said.
He also stressed “decisive” steps would have to be taken to reduce political tension in Georgia and noted the need for electoral reform to ensure free and competitive elections in the country.
A Georgian delegation led by the country’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze is holding meetings of the Association Council with the European Union in Brussels, the Government Administration said on Tuesday.
Georgia's accession to the European Union was discussed on Tuesday in a meeting between Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday said Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s first official foreign visit being made to Brussels was a “signal” the country was “doing everything” to ensure European integration in the Euro-Atlantic space.
Viktor Dolidze, Georgia's Ambassador to NATO, on Monday said Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s first official visit to Brussels showed the country's “most important” foreign and security policy priorities.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday said “statements about the second front” of the war in Ukraine, made by Ukrainian Government officials, were “very sad”, but added his Government was “strongly supporting” the country “politically”.
Olivér Várhelyi, the European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on Tuesday said the EU membership candidate status, granted to Georgia in December, was bringing “benefits” and “dividends” not only to the country but also to the bloc.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday said his Government had “confirmed firm will” to fulfil its obligations with the European Union and move forward on its European integration path.
Olivér Várhelyi, the European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on Tuesday said the Black Sea Electricity and Internet Broadband Cable Project would serve as a “guide for other partners”.
Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on Tuesday said this year and the upcoming parliamentary elections would be an “important test” for Georgia’s democracy.
Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on Tuesday said Georgia had to accelerate the implementation of reforms, including those of the Association Agreement, to meet the nine steps outlined by the bloc to open accession talks with the country.
Viktor Dolidze, Georgia's Ambassador to NATO, on Wednesday said Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s first official visit to Brussels and meetings with NATO officials would add “another important impetus” to the country’s aspirations for full membership in the alliance.
Robin Dunnigan, the United States Ambassador to Georgia, on Wednesday said she was “very pleased” over Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s first official visit to Brussels this week and said she hoped to see the country as a member of the European Union in “years ahead”.
Vakhtang Makharoblishvili, Georgia's Ambassador to the European Union, on Wednesday highlighted Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s meeting with the European Parliament President Roberta Metsola as “very important”.