Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday invited the public to join celebrations in central Tbilisi after obtaining the European Union membership candidate status. 

Urging citizens to make the day “a symbol of countrywide national pride and shared victory”, Garibashvili said the festivities would be held on Friday at 5 PM. 

In his address to the nation, the PM congratulated the citizens of Georgia on the nation's new status as an EU membership candidate and stressed "this victory belongs to our country and our people," emphasizing the collective efforts that led to this achievement. He expressed gratitude to European leaders, particularly acknowledging Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, Mr. Charles Michel, and Mr. Várhelyi for their “instrumental roles” in the process.

In a gesture of appreciation, the Prime Minister extended congratulations to all members of the government, public servants, parliamentarians, and the ruling party for their contributions. Special mention was made to the founder of the ruling party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, “whose leadership played a pivotal role in shaping Georgia's path toward EU candidacy”.

Recalling the journey that led to the moment, Garibashvili highlighted the signing of the Association Agreement, successful negotiations for visa-free travel, and the official application for EU membership submitted last year. He declared December 14 as a date to be remembered, as Georgia officially joins the European family.

President Salome Zourabichvili said she would join the celebrations and called on citizens to attend as the day ‘belongs to the country”.