Gov’t has “confirmed firm will” to fulfil EU obligations - Georgian PM
The Government head added his office continued to work with its European colleagues to deliver “tangible results” in the process of connectivity and welcomed the “close cooperation reflected in this context”. Photo: Government Administration
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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.
Kobakhidze said the eighth meeting of the Association Council between the bloc and Georgia in Brussels was an “important cornerstone” of the partnership and emphasised the “historic” event of the country being granted the bloc’s membership candidate status in December.
He said the commitment within which Georgia was set to join the EU had a “great importance”, and added the meeting had discussed the progress the country had achieved in the association process - which he called the result of “great efforts”.
The PM noted his Government was implementing an action plan for fulfilling the priorities set out by the European Commission in November and wanted to maintain “close coordination” with the colleagues in the Commission and other agencies in order to implement the “common agenda” while moving to the next stage of accession to the bloc.
Kobakhidze said his office’s “closest objective” was to start negotiations on accession and obtain full access to the single market, in order to “achieve a full and free trade space”, and noted by implementing “key reforms”, Georgia had demonstrated a “very significant and rapid” post-pandemic recovery and “significant” progress.
He added “successful reforms” implemented in the country increased its resilience, which he said was “very important” for its integration into the EU.
We are a reliable ally and partner in the region. There are significant challenges, and we are trying to achieve stability, peace and democratic progress in the context of cooperation”, the PM said.
The Government head added his office continued to work with its European colleagues to deliver “tangible results” in the process of connectivity and welcomed the “close cooperation reflected in this context”.
Kobakhidze emphasised the importance of the bloc’s peacekeeping in the resolution of conflicts on the territory of Georgia, and added peace would enable “more stability and progress” in the country and the wider region, leading to a “general well-being of Europe”.
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”.
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.
Vakhtang Makharoblishvili, Georgia's Ambassador to the European Union, on Tuesday said Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s visit to Brussels this week would be ”extremely interesting and informative”.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Monday said Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s visit to Brussels this week was “very important” for the country and its foreign political priorities.
Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on Monday encouraged the Georgian Government to continue working on its European integration path.
The Georgian Government on Monday approved an action plan for fulfilling the priorities set out by the European Commission in its recommendation for the country to be granted the European Union membership candidate status.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday highlighted his Government’s “ambitious plans” regarding Georgia’s integration into the European Union, noting in 2030 Georgia would be “more than ready” to become a member of the bloc.
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.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Olivér Várhelyi, the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on Tuesday reviewed the process of the country’s accession to the EU.
Georgia’s European Union integration process and its reform agenda along this path were discussed on Tuesday by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Charles Michel, the European Council President.