Please, never ever say we have been abandoned by the European Union. It is a thing that I cannot accept. Such a statement made today Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, at the joint briefing with the Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili.

“The European Union has not abandoned Georgia and will not abandon Georgia. But at the same time I have to say that this is a merit-based process. And you have to fulfill certain conditions and it"s up to you. So don"t tell me this. You know you student goes to the exam and doesn"t pass the exam. And he says - the professor has abandoned me.

The professor has an objective measure. And we have objective assessments. So please don"t be on the mood like we have been abandoned. Employ all your intellectual energy on pushing to fulfill the commitments, the requirements. The EU has not abandoned Georgia and will not abandon Georgia.

Look, we have an economic and investment plan that has mobilized 1.3 billion euros. It"s not in our interest to abandon Georgia. We are very much aware of the importance and the interest that Georgia has today for us.

The EU will be more complete and stronger with Georgia in than with Georgia out. We want you to be a member of the Union. And that"s why I am here to say, look, there is work to be done, and there is time to do it. So do it”, - said Josep Borrell.