The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, sends a letter to the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.
The letter states that Georgian nation and government expect EU member states to make a strategic and forward-looking decision this week that will firmly link Georgia, a future EU member state, to the family of European democracies.
The Prime Minister notes that granting the candidate status will give an additional impetus to the establishment of long-term peace in Georgia.
Garibashvili claims that the future of Georgia lies in the European Union and it has no alternative.
“Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for your personal support to Georgia’s European aspirations. The recognition of Georgia’s European perspective in June 2022 opened a completely new page in our relations with the European Union. The above-mentioned historical decision of the leaders of the European Union took the form of a powerful message, which confirmed that Georgia will become a member of the European Union.
There is no doubt that EU membership comes with long-term obligations and responsibilities. My government is fully mobilized and determined to continue and further accelerate the implementation of the necessary reforms on the road to EU membership.
Mr. President, since 2012, Georgia has shown strong commitment to the idea of becoming a member state of the European Union. A far-reaching association agreement with a deep and comprehensive free trade area, a visa-free travel regime, a strong security partnership, strengthened trade relations and expanded cooperation in various fields are the clearest examples of our ever-growing partnership with the European Union and its institutions.
After June 2022, my country has also shown a strong will to implement the 12 priorities set out in the European Commission’s conclusion, which followed Georgia’s EU membership application. It is important to note that our government achieved concrete results, which turned into concrete actions taken by Georgia and large-scale legislative work, in order to fulfill the obligations and gradually come into compliance with the EU legislation.
As a result, we were pleased with the positive assessment of the European Commission’s recommendation to the European Council to grant candidate status to Georgia, as reflected in the European Commission’s 2023 Communiqué on Enlargement Policy and the accompanying report on Georgia. The European Commission’s recommendation reaffirms our determination to continue implementing a comprehensive, forward-looking European reform agenda.
Based on the substantial progress shown by Georgia, as well as the recent steps taken by the legislative and executive bodies, including the recommendations of the European Commission on November 8, I would like to express my firm belief that the EU will continue to support Georgia with another historic decision to grant candidate status. This decision will put Georgia on an irreversible path towards accession negotiations and ultimately towards full membership of the European Union.
This is a watershed moment for Georgia’s European future, as well as for the credibility of the EU’s enlargement policy as a geostrategic investment for peace, stability and prosperity across Europe. In the heavily conflicted region, we continue to strengthen the role of Georgia as a pillar of regional peace and stability, democratic development and cooperation; We are also a crucial link on the global connectivity map, offering the world alternative routes for energy cooperation and the development of cargo and trade on the Black Sea. We are sure that Georgia, as a future member state of the European Union, will play an important role in the common prosperity of Europe.
Granting the candidate status will give an additional impetus to the establishment of long-term peace in Georgia. Allow me to express my gratitude to the European Union for its unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as for its valuable contribution and support to the peaceful settlement of the Russia-Georgia conflict. We believe that the strong involvement of the European Union and its member states will be decisive in ensuring the peaceful reintegration of the occupied regions of Georgia and the reconciliation of the members of the divided society.
The future of Georgia lies in the European Union and it has no alternative. Our nation and my government expect the EU member states to make a strategic and forward-looking decision this week that will firmly link Georgia, a future EU member state, to the family of European democracies.
“Your Excellency, hoping for our constant cooperation, please accept my greatest respect for you for making Georgia’s dream a reality,” Garibashvili wrote to Michel.
