The News in Brief
Monday, February 5, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Pawel Herczynski: Opening of Negotiations Lies in the Hands of Georgian Political Elites
In a recent statement, the EU Ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, highlighted the EU's readiness to expedite the accession process. He emphasized that the next step in the process, the opening of negotiations, is ultimately in the hands of Georgian political elites.
"We have all been celebrating Georgia becoming formally an EU candidate country. Decision has been taken on the 14th of December at the level of EU heads of state. Together with that very positive decision, heads of state and government of 27 EU member states have endorsed nine steps that Georgia needs to implement in order to move forward on its a path towards EU membership. It is for Georgian political elites to decide how quickly they want to implement those nine steps.
On our side, we are ready to move forward as quickly as possible, so that Georgia moves to the next step already this year. The next step is opening of the accession negotiations. But it is not in our hands. It's not in the hands of the European Union and not in the hands of Brussels. It's in the hands of Georgian political elites. I can repeat that we sincerely hope that this will be a very inclusive work involving all political forces. That at the same time, the opposition will be constructive, also civil society will be fully involved, and in spite of the elections and it's quite natural that a lot of attention will be devoted to the elections, in parallel the work will continue on the implementation of the nine steps," EU Ambassador stated.
Irakli Kobakhidze Reveals Government Program and Cabinet Members at Parliament's Bureau Session
Irakli Kobakhidze, the candidate for Prime Minister, presented the government program and Cabinet composition during the February 2 session of the Parliament's Bureau. The Bureau also approved including the President's final report in the agenda for the first plenary session on February 6.
Changes in the government cabinet will only impact the Minister of Defense. Irakli Chikovani, Vice Speaker of the Parliament and Majority Leader from Zugdidi, is set to replace Juansher Burchuladze.
The Parliament is scheduled to confirm the Prime Minister and the government composition on February 8.
Before making these changes, Irakli Kobakhidze informed the media that he had discussions within the team about the government's formation, offering all government members the option to retain their positions.
Kobakhidze revealed that Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze chose not to continue in his role. In his place, Member of Parliament Irakli Chikovani will assume the position.
Pawel Herczynski: Opening of Negotiations Lies in the Hands of Georgian Political Elites
"We have all been celebrating Georgia becoming formally an EU candidate country. Decision has been taken on the 14th of December at the level of EU heads of state. Together with that very positive decision, heads of state and government of 27 EU member states have endorsed nine steps that Georgia needs to implement in order to move forward on its a path towards EU membership. It is for Georgian political elites to decide how quickly they want to implement those nine steps.
On our side, we are ready to move forward as quickly as possible, so that Georgia moves to the next step already this year. The next step is opening of the accession negotiations. But it is not in our hands. It's not in the hands of the European Union and not in the hands of Brussels. It's in the hands of Georgian political elites. I can repeat that we sincerely hope that this will be a very inclusive work involving all political forces. That at the same time, the opposition will be constructive, also civil society will be fully involved, and in spite of the elections and it's quite natural that a lot of attention will be devoted to the elections, in parallel the work will continue on the implementation of the nine steps," EU Ambassador stated.
Irakli Kobakhidze Reveals Government Program and Cabinet Members at Parliament's Bureau Session
Changes in the government cabinet will only impact the Minister of Defense. Irakli Chikovani, Vice Speaker of the Parliament and Majority Leader from Zugdidi, is set to replace Juansher Burchuladze.
The Parliament is scheduled to confirm the Prime Minister and the government composition on February 8.
Before making these changes, Irakli Kobakhidze informed the media that he had discussions within the team about the government's formation, offering all government members the option to retain their positions.
Kobakhidze revealed that Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze chose not to continue in his role. In his place, Member of Parliament Irakli Chikovani will assume the position.