Garibashvili and Borrell discuss Georgia’s European perspective

The European Council’s decision to grant Georgia European perspective and the “effective steps” needed to be taken by the country to receive the membership candidate status were discussed on Tuesday in a meeting between Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and EU High Representative in Brussels Josep Borrell.

The sides emphasised Georgia’s “immediate” reaction to the decision of the European Council to present its strategy for fulfilling the 12-point conditions outlined by the Council for granting the country candidate status, with Garibashvili noting that the working groups had been created to address the conditions, in which “all relevant” stakeholders have been involved. 

Garibashvili stressed that the European perspective, which Georgia received in June, has been a “strong motivation” and a “huge responsibility” for the country and expressed hope that the financial instruments available to the countries in the process of joining the EU would also be extended to Georgia, which would create more opportunities for its accession to the European Union.

The Head of the Government pointed out that Georgia would not be able to achieve success in the implementation process of the “ambitious reform agenda” without the “strong support and assistance” of the EU.

The PM called the current political polarisation in Georgia a “serious challenge” for the country and said the Government has been making all efforts to improve the existing political environment and resolve the issue, adding that “the involvement” of the opposition parties in the process has been also necessary.