The News in Brief
Thursday, June 15, 2023
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Irakli Gharibashvili Delivers a Speech at Europalia Festival
During his speech at the international festival Europalia in Brussels and at the solemn event celebrating Georgia's Independence Day, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili expressed that all efforts are dedicated to Georgia's goal of joining the European Union. He emphasized that regaining Georgia's position among European nations has been a dream cherished by generations of Georgians, and the country is prepared to undertake all necessary measures to turn this dream into reality.
According to Gharibashvili, Georgia has emerged as one of the leaders among the countries aspiring to become members of the European Union.
"Indeed, over the past decade, we have accomplished historically significant tasks, including signing the association agreement, obtaining a visa-free regime with the European Union, establishing a free trade agreement, and emerging as one of the leading countries aspiring to join the European Union. The European Union's granting of the prospect of EU membership to Georgia stands as the greatest foreign policy achievement in our nation's modern history. Following this decision, we will spare no effort to attain EU candidate status by the end of the year, marking the beginning of a new phase of Georgia's Western integration.
With utmost responsibility, I reiterate our commitment to implementing all priority recommendations of the European Commission and securing candidate status. We have never wavered from our chosen path, and we will ensure that nothing obstructs Georgia's democratic, European, and prosperous future. Our history, culture, values, and recent accomplishments have equipped us to face the challenges on our journey toward the EU.
The geographical position of Georgia has contributed to the rich history of our people, being at the crossroads of great empires and the boundary between Europe and Asia, Eastern and Western civilizations. Although we have often found ourselves as targets in these conflicts, throughout the centuries, they have only strengthened our nation, shaping our identity and values. It is from this unique historical experience that our desire to join the European Union stems. This confidence propels us forward on this path, even when few believed in our ability to achieve it," stated Gharibashvili.
Shalva Papuashvili Disappointed by MEPs' Failure to Apologize after Strasbourg's Decision on Saakashvili
Shalva Papuashvili, the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia stated that the opposition seeks to hinder Georgia from achieving its desired status by hoping for a deterioration in the country's situation. According to him, their ultimate goal is to generate unrest and seize power.
Papuashvili stated that notable progress in the implementation of the 12 recommendations has been observed globally, and there is widespread recognition that the denial of the status to one of the top three countries constituted a significant injustice.
"Now the question is whether the European Union will be able to correct this injustice. After the decision made in Strasbourg regarding Mikheil Saakashvili, I had expected that some European parliamentarians would apologize to the Georgian people for those resolutions where they directly blamed Georgia, as if torture were taking place in this country and its rights were being violated. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. Instead of apologizing for the misinformation, we heard the same misinformation being repeated. It is disheartening that some MEPs remain stubborn in their own mistakes, while others persist in their actions," Papuashvili said.
Irakli Gharibashvili Delivers a Speech at Europalia Festival
According to Gharibashvili, Georgia has emerged as one of the leaders among the countries aspiring to become members of the European Union.
"Indeed, over the past decade, we have accomplished historically significant tasks, including signing the association agreement, obtaining a visa-free regime with the European Union, establishing a free trade agreement, and emerging as one of the leading countries aspiring to join the European Union. The European Union's granting of the prospect of EU membership to Georgia stands as the greatest foreign policy achievement in our nation's modern history. Following this decision, we will spare no effort to attain EU candidate status by the end of the year, marking the beginning of a new phase of Georgia's Western integration.
With utmost responsibility, I reiterate our commitment to implementing all priority recommendations of the European Commission and securing candidate status. We have never wavered from our chosen path, and we will ensure that nothing obstructs Georgia's democratic, European, and prosperous future. Our history, culture, values, and recent accomplishments have equipped us to face the challenges on our journey toward the EU.
The geographical position of Georgia has contributed to the rich history of our people, being at the crossroads of great empires and the boundary between Europe and Asia, Eastern and Western civilizations. Although we have often found ourselves as targets in these conflicts, throughout the centuries, they have only strengthened our nation, shaping our identity and values. It is from this unique historical experience that our desire to join the European Union stems. This confidence propels us forward on this path, even when few believed in our ability to achieve it," stated Gharibashvili.
Shalva Papuashvili Disappointed by MEPs' Failure to Apologize after Strasbourg's Decision on Saakashvili
Papuashvili stated that notable progress in the implementation of the 12 recommendations has been observed globally, and there is widespread recognition that the denial of the status to one of the top three countries constituted a significant injustice.
"Now the question is whether the European Union will be able to correct this injustice. After the decision made in Strasbourg regarding Mikheil Saakashvili, I had expected that some European parliamentarians would apologize to the Georgian people for those resolutions where they directly blamed Georgia, as if torture were taking place in this country and its rights were being violated. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. Instead of apologizing for the misinformation, we heard the same misinformation being repeated. It is disheartening that some MEPs remain stubborn in their own mistakes, while others persist in their actions," Papuashvili said.