Georgia’s work on EU membership conditions gives us ‘great hope’

The fact that “serious work” is underway on implementing the 12-point conditions for Georgia’s membership, and that both the ruling party and the opposition have presented their plans, “has given us great hope,” said David McAllister. said the head of a European Parliament delegation on Wednesday in a joint press conference with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili in Tbilisi.

McAllister also stressed that the EU has “always actively encouraged” parties in Georgia to reach an agreement on the relevant fundamental reforms, the development of democracy and the strengthening of the rule of law, which he described as “important” for the country.

McAllister stressed that EU enlargement remains a process based only “on merit” and requires the implementation of relevant reforms.

During their ongoing visit to Georgia, MEPs will meet members of the government, the President and Members of Parliament, Prime Ministers, leaders of the ruling Georgian Dream party and opposition figures, as well as representatives of civil society.

In his comments, McAllister indicated that the delegation will mainly discuss Georgia’s application for EU membership and called the EU’s decision to grant Georgia the European perspective last month “truly historic”. He said the move was a “recognition” that European structures support the country’s “European future” and are ready to bring it closer to the bloc.

He also said he believed the country needed to resolve certain “priority issues” in order to maintain candidate status for membership, adding that Georgian citizens deserved to live “peacefully and securely in a free, democratic and prosperous country.” country to live in”.