Pawel Herczynski Says Georgia's EU Candidacy Status Depends on Achieved Progress
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
EU Ambassador to Georgia H.E. Pawel Herczynski while speaking to reporters during his visit to Georgia, expressed hope that Georgia would be granted candidate status for EU membership which will bring huge benefits to the country.
As the ambassador noted, membership of the European Union means stability, peace, prosperity, and raising the standard of living.
Herczynski states that the EU is trying to help Georgia to get the candidate status at the end of this year, but it depends on the progress that will be achieved by all the political forces of Georgia.
"I am very happy to be in Georgia at this historic moment. Georgia has decided to apply for EU membership. 27 member states decided to give Georgia a European perspective. Work is now underway to implement the 12 priorities. This is still a work in progress. We will assess progress at the end of the year and the 27 member states will decide on next steps in December. I hope there will be a positive decision and Georgia will be given the candidate status. This is not the end of the road.
If candidate status is granted, it will be another step towards EU membership. There will also be many more steps. As a delegation of the European Union, we are here to be with Georgia on the path to EU membership. I hope that Georgia will become a member of the European Union and this will bring enormous benefits to Georgia. Membership of the European Union means stability, peace, prosperity, raising the standard of living.
We are working in this direction, but it requires national approval. This requires the joint work of all political forces, in the spirit of compromise, inclusiveness and constructiveness. The work continues and we will see, the final decision will depend on the progress made by Georgia. This will be the decision of the 27 member states of the European Union," Herczynski said.