Wolfgang Sobotka and Boris Kollár Affirm Support for Georgia's EU Aspirations
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
According to Wolfgang Sobotka, President of the National Council of Austria, the visit to Georgia in the Slavkov format aims to demonstrate united support for Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and its aspiration to join the European Union.
Sobotka stressed the importance of cooperation among all parties in Georgia to follow the necessary path for EU membership. Sobotka expressed their willingness to collaborate and called on Georgia's civil society and political groups to recognize and follow the required steps for EU accession.
According to him, the purpose of the visit was to foster cooperation between the parliaments of Austria and Georgia. Sobotka highlighted the signing of a letter of intent to develop democracy in Georgia, which he regarded as a crucial step towards a more robust democracy for future generations. He also mentioned the increasing interest of Austrian students and young people in studying democracy, which motivated their visit to Georgia.
Boris Kollár, Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, stressed the need to strengthen relations between countries based on democracy and international law standards. Speaking at a joint briefing with Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Kollár confirmed Slovakia's support for Georgia on its path to the European Union.
Kollár acknowledged the country's aspirations to unite and join the European Union. He affirmed Slovakia's full support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also recognized Georgia's commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution to conflicts in Ukraine. He mentioned visiting the administrative border and emphasized the importance of good governance, a democratic society, and strong trade and economic relations for Georgia's aspirations with the European Union.
Boris Kollár highlighted the challenges of the EU membership path, calling for transparency and the rejection of steps that do not align with EU standards. He urged Georgia to prioritize integration into the European Union and emphasized the need for unity. He warned against polarization, misinformation, and the absence of political unity, as they can hinder society's future development. Boris Kollár reaffirmed their full support for Georgia's integration into the European Union.
