EU wants to see Georgia advance on ambitious reforms – Borrell

The relationship between the European Union and Georgia has moved to a qualitatively high level, and Georgia is firmly on the European path. We want to see Georgia advance on the ambitious reforms, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Joseph Borrell, said this at a press conference held together with the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, and the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy,Oliver Varhelyi on Tuesday in Brussels, during the first Association Council meeting since Georgia was granted European perspective in June. 

In his comments, the EU official said that political forces of Georgia “should seize this historic opportunity to advance on the EU path. The EU stands ready to accompany you along the way”.

“Today’s meeting is proof that we strongly support the territorial integrity of Georgia. Also, this meeting shows that our relations have moved to a qualitatively high level, and Georgia is firmly on the European path. I look forward to seeing Georgia’s progress on this path, and I hope that political forces in Georgia will use this historic opportunity and increase their efforts in order for Georgia to gain the status of a candidate and to get even closer to the European Union”, said Borrell.

Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili said that the country’s authorities had taken steps to meet the 12 conditions set by the European Union for Georgia’s EU candidacy.