Georgia still strives to join EU - Mikheil Kavelashvili

Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili said Tbilisi maintains its commitment to European integration, but it is not an end in itself.

The Georgian authorities view the European path as a means of strengthening the country.

"For us, the European Union is a means of strengthening our country. We express hope and declare that we have both the opportunity and the goal to prepare [for membership], taking into account the values around which our entire nation is united," Kavelashvili said.

At the same time, according to him, Brussels maintains a policy of double standards and continues to treat Tbilisi unfairly.

On December 19, the European Commission warned that Georgia may lose visa-free travel with the EU if Tbilisi continues to ignore Brussels' recommendations.