PM lauds EU candidacy as “key achievement”, praises “historic” China visit

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday said Tbilisi’s obtaining the  European Union membership candidate status this month  was a “key achievement” of the country’s foreign policy, while also praising his “historic”July visit to China which culminated by signing of a strategic deal. 

 

Garibashvili highlighted the grant of EU membership candidate status to the country in his end-of-year report summarizing the government’s work and noted the challenging path leading to the European Council’s decision and emphasized the government’s focus on national interests. 

 

He credited the ruling party, the Georgian Dream, with achieving the “greatest outcome” in European integration, acknowledging milestones such as the Association Agreement, free trade, visa-free travel, and the recognition of the European perspective.

 

The prime minister expressed gratitude to European and American partners, singling out the US  National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan for his support. 

 

Garibashvili emphasized the “irreversible process” of Georgia becoming a European state and called for continued determination to fulfill the country’s principal dreams of de-occupation, unification, and development into a “successful European state”. 

 

Speaking about China, the PM stressed his trip was of “historic significance”, and that fostering ties with the world’s second largest economy was among his office’s priorities.