The European Commission has recommended that Georgia be given the status of a candidate country for EU membership but on the condition of implementing some reforms. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced this at a press conference in Brussels.
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‘‘The Commission recommends that the Council grants Georgia the status of a candidate country on the understanding that a number of steps are taken.
This is a solemn day for Georgia. Often when we grant or recommend the status, we add that there are still a few steps to take. This is detailed in the recommendations.
This is truly a huge step for Georgia and emphasizes the impressive and very clear position of the majority of the population of Georgia to join the European Union,’’ - said the President of the European Commission.
The final decision on granting Georgia the candidate status will be made at the summit on December 14-15.
‘‘I sincerely congratulate all political leaders, the government, the opposition, the parliament, the president, civil society, you, the media, but,
First and foremost, I wholeheartedly congratulate the population of Georgia, the people who firmly and consistently support Georgia's European path.
This is a great recognition of the European Union's strong support for the European future of the population of Georgia and the progress achieved in recent years,’’ said the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, Pavel Herczynski.
The President of Georgia commented on the decision.
‘‘I am happy, together with the Georgian people, and I welcome the positive recommendation of the European Commission on the granting of candidate status to Georgia. As president, I will continue to play my role as a pro-European leader more than ever to promote and continue the reforms that are still needed’’ Salome Zourabichvili wrote on social media.
Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova applied for EU membership in March 2022.
Last year, the European Union granted Ukraine and Moldova the status of candidates for EU membership, and Georgia the European perspective, and set 12-point preconditions for obtaining the candidate status. In the conclusion prepared by the commission on Georgia's application, among the priorities were the ending of political polarization, carrying out judicial reform, de-oligarchization, strengthening the fight against organized crime, ensuring media freedom, and others.
News broke today that the European Commission has already passed a recommendation to start negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova to join the European Union.
