Friends of Georgia in the European Parliament Express Strong Support for Georgia's EU Candidate Status and Continue Monitoring
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, November 9, 2023
The Friends of Georgia in the European Parliament have released an open letter expressing their strong backing for the European Commission's recommendation to grant Georgia EU candidate status and strongly emphasized the European identity of Georgia and the resilience of the Georgian people in striving for EU candidate status.
The letter credited the Georgian people, certain political leaders (including the President of Georgia), and many civil servants for their determination and commitment to European integration. It indicates that despite the government's perceived reluctance, the will and resilience of these individuals have been instrumental in the progress made.
While recognizing the progress made, the letter mentions that there is still one final step to achieve EU candidacy. The Friends of Georgia in the European Parliament pledged to continue monitoring the situation and actively work towards ensuring that the support expressed by the European Commission and the European Parliament translates into a positive decision by the European Council in December 2023.
The letter was signed by several Members of the European Parliament, including Petras Austrevicius, Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, Anna Fotyga, Michael Gahler, Marketa Gregorova, Rasa Jukneviciene, Andrius Kubilius, and Sven Mikser.
"EU candidate status for Georgia:
Georgia is Europe and Georgians are Europeans. This fact has been recognized once again by the European Commission in its annual enlargement report. We, the friends of Georgia in the European Parliament, strongly support the Commission's recommendation to grant Georgia EU candidate status with conditions. Despite the Georgian government's continued reluctance to implement the Commission's twelve recommendations and align the country's foreign policy with the EU, the will of the Georgian people, some Georgian political leaders, including the President of Georgia, and many Georgian civil servants proved to be stronger and their Europeanness more resilient. They, and only they, deserve the credit for this historic achievement.
There is still one step to go before the EU candidacy. We continue to monitor the situation and work hard to ensure that the support expressed by the European Commission and the European Parliament will be reflected in the decision of the European Council in December 2023.
Respectfully, Friends of Georgia in the European Parliament," the letter reads.
