PM highlights “positive” visit to Brussels, discussion of EU integration with partners

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said his visit to Brussels this week had “made it possible to discuss all points” around the work for meeting the priorities outlined by the European Commission for opening accession talks with the country. 

Kobakhidze noted it was the “responsibility of all domestic stakeholders” to “do their best” in order for Georgia to advance further on the path of European integration.

“We had a frank conversation with our European partners on all topics. We touched on the nine priorities. We talked about each point. We presented our visions in this regard. Also, we introduced our visions regarding the process itself, how we see this process”, the Government head said.

Of course, they [European partners] call for all parties, all political parties, all relevant organisations to be properly involved in the processes, [and] of course they do not welcome the manifestations of boycott that we have seen from specific opposition parties. It is everyone's responsibility to do their best to move us even further along the path of European integration”, he continued. 

Kobakhidze also claimed the country’s European partners had “shown special goodwill toward Georgia and the Government delegation” in the framework of the visit, with  Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, assessing the session of Georgia-EU Association Council as the “best session ever”.

The Government head also reviewed his meeting with Roberta Metsola, the European Parliament President, by saying that “we had a very frank conversation regarding all topics, including, the misunderstandings that existed between the Parliament of Georgia and the European Parliament”.

You remember, in 2022, three different resolutions were passed [in the European Parliament], absolutely unfair resolutions, which we had to criticise. Thanks, among others, to Roberta Metsola, for establishing the correct practice after that, and such resolutions are no longer accepted by the European Parliament for a long time. Therefore, it is good that our reaction affected the processes. We should express positive hope that relations will develop in a positive way”, he continued. 

Kobakhidze further added that the visit to Brussels would play a “very important positive” role in terms of deepening partnership with the European Union and NATO.