2022-06-06
By concluding the EU Association Agreement and Free Trade Agreement, by getting the visa-free travel arrangement and now by applying officially for EU Candidacy, our Government has proven that we are loyal and honest in delivering the directives of our people. It was announced by Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia at the Executive Government Meeting today.
As the Head of Government noted, Georgia has thoroughly executed all the commitments and conditions that were assumed towards the European Union.
"We are now awaiting the EU decision on granting the candidacy status. You may well be aware that we have carried out a rather active foreign policy. Under my instructions, Ilia Darchiashvili is actively talking with his European colleagues as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. So far, he has held over 20 meetings with 17 colleagues - Foreign Affairs Ministers of EU Member States. Also, he has meetings scheduled during this and following weeks. We have had very intensive talks about the current situation in the country, reforms implemented so far and all this information is fully shared. Also, I pursued a very active foreign policy and held a lot of visits, including one in Brussels. I held meetings at the highest level. We talked with our European colleagues and - what is most important - we thoroughly executed all the commitments and conditions assumed towards the EU. Starting from the EU Association Agreement (AA) and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), followed with the visa-free travel arrangement and now with the official application submitted for candidacy, our Government has proven that we are loyal and honest in delivering the directives of our people. If not for our government, we would not be heading towards the EU, but in very difficult conditions. Once again, I wish to remind our friends and colleagues in Europe and within our country as well that it is great merits to the Georgian Dream as such that our country has the EU Association Agreement with DCFTA and FTA, visa-free travel arrangement for our citizens and now have had the honor to submit the official application for EU candidacy" stated the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Irakli Garibashvili noted that it is only a candidacy status, rather than membership, as a very long and complex road needs to be taken for membership.
"We do not usually speak about it. Reference is made to granting this status to us - Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova. Georgia has been an outstanding reformer and leader among the countries of Eastern Partnership for the past 9 years. Moreover, we concluded a so-called Memorandum last year, agreeing and singling out a group of countries. The Associated Trio was thus formed in the face of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Georgia is an unconditional leader within the Associated Trio in every direction, with any parameter and - what is most important - with every achievement. It is not an exaggerated assessment. It is the opinion of our colleagues, our European and American colleagues, a lot of international reputable institutions and organizations, claiming that Georgia stands out among these countries with every parameter. I will tell you more: in numerous directions, be that accountability, effective governance, transparency, reforms, anti-corruption policies, ease of doing business and others, we rank 7th throughout the world. In terms of Budget Transparency, Georgia has topped the global list. Of course, this means that we are an absolutely transparent, democratic government, which truly delivers on the directives of people and our ambitious plans with reforms that were launched 9 years ago, since coming to power. This is done as planned and in a consistent manner. We understand it well that it is not sufficient. This process is pursued with reforms that were committed. For instance, let me say that we have just completed our work on the EU Association Agenda, with a detailed elaboration of every reform and commitment to be carried out. A number of initiatives, commitments and reforms have been copied from the agreement labeled as that of Charles Michel. Practically, we left no question unanswered. We had a timely response to every issue and honestly delivered on every commitment. Of course, it is now up to the EU. It needs to make the ultimate decision" stated the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Irakli Garibashvili highlighted the honest delivery of commitments assumed by Georgia, thereby noting that the country now awaits the prudent, right and fair decision of the Europeans.
"We understand it well and I wish to explain to our citizens that the situation is not simple. Naturally, Europe has not faced such a challenge since WWII. A wide-scale war is waged in the heart of Europe, in the largest European nation - Ukraine, which is not only threatening it and its sovereignty, but creates dangers to the European security architecture. In real terms, it is a huge challenge in the whole world order. Thus, some EU member states are naturally skeptical in this reality towards Ukraine as they do not wish to import these problems to Europe. Problems exist in a number of other directions and relate to the war and associated threats. We maintained peace and stability in Georgia during this process. Once again, let me repeat that no second front will exist, nor another war will be waged in Georgia. We wish for peace, stability and development. We and our people wish for this. It is our directive. We will, of course, pursue the national interests of our country and nobody will ever make us change our position about it. On the other hand, we follow our predefined plans, of course. Key roadmap guiding us in this process in relation to the EU integration is the EU Association Agreement with DCFTA, 45% of which has already been done. We lead as a country in this regard within the nations of Eastern Partnership and Associated Trio as well. Over 50% of the DCFTA has been executed. A number of commitments that have been assumed are honestly done, legislation has been harmonized and performance is high in many other directions. Also, we delivered a huge amount of work to get the visa-free travel arrangement and now we have reached the crown stage of completion - instead of 2024 that we promised, the EU Accession Application was filed well ahead of its time by taking into account the current situation. Once again, we are awaiting the prudent, right and fair decision from our Europeans. We are not asking for anything, we only expect the right and fair assessment and decision, as our people have been loyal since regaining independence. We are following our main goal and policy, which implies accession to the EU and Georgia will definitely become a fully-fledged member of the European Union. We will now await for the decision in a calm, peaceful and firm manner. Of course, no obstacle will ever exist for us as we will continue reforming our country this way or the other and we will bring our work to an end" concluded Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia.
Press Service of the Government Administration