Nobody argues anywhere, neither within the EU, that Georgia was and is tenfold ahead of Ukraine and Moldova in every dimension. Such a statement made today the Prime Minister of Georgia, while delivering speech in the Parliament.

“Now, as for the having a status of the EU Candidate Country to Georgia, we have talked about this topic at multiple occasions and will once again remind everyone: nobody argues anywhere – neither within the EU – but within this narrow group here – that Georgia was and is tenfold ahead of Ukraine and Moldova in every dimension. We were and remain to be a leader among the Eastern Partnership. Nothing has changed with it, except for the only one difference in status.

We have heard the statements made by European leaders on granting the candidacy to Ukraine and Moldova as an advance gesture for only one reason. We have heard it and I do not want to quote leaders, but they clearly declared that as Ukraine is waging a war and Moldova is in a situation equalized to a war thus being in a more difficult setting, they took a political decision. We follow the development of events and witness what is happening in that country. Both were given the status as an advance gesture, though with the same conditions as were defined for Georgia.

That is, Ukraine and Moldova were given the status as an advance gesture to incentivize them, but also need to deliver on a number of recommendations and conditions. In our case, it was once again noted that it is a historic decision and nobody could have dreamt about it. Neither MP Vashadze, nor others could have dreamt about this achievement.

Our country was granted a European Perspective. It was a clear, vivid and straightforward statement about Georgia ultimately becoming a member of the European family. I repeat the words of Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel and many other European leaders, who unequivocally declared that it is a historic decision”, - said Irakli Garibashvili.