EU’s Varhelyi calls on “all Georgian political actors” to unite for Georgia’s EU candidacy

European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy,Oliver Varhelyi, on Tuesday called on all Georgian political players to act unanimously for the country to meet the 12-point conditions for its membership candidate status. 

Speaking following the seventh EU-Georgia Association Council meeting in Brussels, Varhelyi said that “this is a major opportunity, a major development, not only compared to the meeting we had last year, but also compared to any meeting we have had before with Georgia in the Association Councils. And I think that now the priorities are clear, we had an open, frank discussion about them, and that is, of course, how we can anchor our solid cooperation that we have built over the years based on the Association Agreement to make this European perspective a reality”. 

“I think that today we need to send a message of encouragement. The moment is now to push ahead with the reforms, not to lose time or energy on internal divisions, but to work together. The progress of Georgia towards the EU will of course require time and very serious efforts by all. We are ready to mobilise all our available assistance to support you on this, and I want to underline the importance to all parties and the civil society rally around this goal. This is a unique national priority and a unique opportunity in front of the nation:, said the EU official.
He also said that the Eastern Partnership Economic and Investment Plan could  generate “a massive [at least EUR 3.9 billion] of public and private investments only in Georgia”, noting that “to fully deliver on this potential, a supportive investment climate with legal certainty is essential”.