The Prime Minister of Georgia addresses Charles Michel, President of the European Council; Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain currently Presiding over the European Union; leaders of all EU Member States

„H.E. Charles Michel
President of the European Council
Dear Mr. President,

I would like to use this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for your personal support for Georgia"s EU aspirations. The recognition of Georgia"s European perspective in June 2022 has opened an entirely new chapter in our relationship with the EU. The above historic decision of the EU leaders landed a powerful message confirming that Georgia will become a member of the European Union.

There is no doubt that EU membership comes with long-term commitments and responsibilities. My government remains fully mobilized and resolved to continue and further accelerate reforms necessary on the EU accession path.

Dear Mr. President, since 2012, Georgia has demonstrated its robust commitment to become an EU member state. The far-reaching Association Agreement, the DCFTA, the visa-free travel, a strong security partnership, enhanced trade relations, and advanced cooperation in various sectors are the most vivid examples of our ever-growing partnership with the EU and its institutions. Since lrne2022, my country has also demonstrated its strongest will to address 12 priorities provided by the European Commission’s Opinion on Georgia"s EU membership application. Importantly, our government has delivered concrete results translated into specific actions and massive legislative work implemented by Georgia to honor its commitments and progressively align with the EU acquis.

As a result, we were delighted with the European Commission’s recommendation to the Council to grant the candidate status to Georgia based on positive assessments reflected in the Communication of the European Commission on Enlargement Policy 2023 and the accompanying report on Georgia. The European Commission’s recommendation reaffirms our resolve to continue delivering on our far-reaching European reform agenda.

Based on substantial progress demonstrated by Georgia and recent steps undertaken by the legislative and executive bodies, including steps addressing the European Commission’s recommendations of November 8, I would like to express my firm belief that the EU will continue standing by Georgia by making another historic decision to grant the candidate status. This decision will put Georgia on an irreversible track towards accession negotiations to become a full-fledged member of the EU.

This is a watershed moment for Georgia’s European future, and equally for the credibility of the EU’s enlargement policy as a geostrategic investment in peace, stability, and prosperity in the whole of Europe. In the heavily contested region, we continue strengthening Georgia’s role as a stronghold of regional peace and stability, democratic development, and cooperation; as well as a crucial link on the global connectivity map offering alternative routes for energy, freight transportation, and trade in the Black Sea. We are confident that Georgia, as a future EU member state, will play a key role for the common good of Europe.

Granting candidate status also will serve as an additional impetus for establishing lasting peace in Georgia. Let me express appreciation to the EU for the unwavering support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as valuable contribution and support to the peaceful resolution of the Russia-Georgia conflict. We believe that strong engagement of the EU and its member states will be critical to ensure that Georgia’s occupied regions will be peacefully re-integrated and divided communities will be reconciled.

The future of Georgia lies in the EU, and there is no alternative to it. Our nation and my government expect that EU member states will take strategic and a forward-looking decision this week that will firmly anchor Georgia - a future EU member state - with the family of European democracies.

Relying on our continued cooperation to make Georgia’s dream a reality, please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Sincerely,
Irakli Garibashvili
Prime Minister of Georgia

***

H.E. Ursula von der Leyen
President of the European Commission
Dear Madam President,

I would like to extend to you personally, and to the European Commission, my and my government’s deepest appreciation for the recent recommendation to grant Georgia the candidate status.

Undeniably, this was a result of a very strong partnership between the EU and Georgia and of the overwhelming support of the Georgian population.

Georgia has come a long way to join a group of nations considered as future EU member states. Through dedicated and strong support from the EU, and from the European Commission in particular, my government has continued to deliver on expectations of the Georgian people. The far-reaching Association Agreement, the DCFTA, the visa-free travel, a strong security partnership, enhanced trade relations, and advanced cooperation in various sectors are the most vivid examples of our ever-growing partnership with the EU and its institutions. We were delighted that the Georgia2023 Report published by the European Commission within the Enlargement Package recognizes tireless efforts of the Georgian government to honor its commitments and progressively align with the EU rules and standards.

There is no doubt that EU membership comes with long-term commitments and responsibilities. My government remains resolute in continuing and further accelerating necessary reforms. We reaffirm our determination to deepen the cooperation with the European Commission and take steps to advance on the EU accession path.

Based on substantial progress demonstrated by Georgia and recent steps undertaken by the legislative and executive bodies, including steps addressing the European Commission’s recommendations of November 8, I would like to express my firm belief that the EU will continue standing by my country by making another historic decision to grant candidate status to Georgia. This decision will put Georgia on an irreversible track towards accession negotiations to become a full-fledged member of the EU.

This is a watershed moment for Georgia’s European future, and equality for the credibility of the EU’s enlargement policy as a geostrategic investment in peace, stability, and prosperity in the whole of Europe. In the heavily contested region, we continue strengthening Georgia’s role as a stronghold of regional peace and stability, democratic development, and cooperation; as well as a crucial link on the global connectivity map offering alternative routes for energy, freight transportation, and trade in the Black Sea. We are confident that Georgia, as a future EU member state, will play a key role for the common good of Europe.

Granting candidate status also will serve as an additional impetus for establishing lasting peace in Georgia. Let me express appreciation to the EU for the unwavering support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as valuable contribution and support to the peaceful resolution of the Russia-Georgia conflict. We believe that strong engagement of the EU and its member states will be critical to ensure that Georgia’s occupied regions will be peacefully re-integrated and divided communities will be reconciled.

The future of Georgia lies in the EU, and there is no alternative to it. Our nation and my government expect that EU member states will take strategic and a forward-looking decision this week that will firmly anchor Georgia - a future EU member state - with the family of European democracies.

Relying on our continued cooperation to make Georgia’s dream a reality, please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Sincerely,
Irakli Garibashvili
Prime Minister of Georgia

***

H.E. Pedro Sanchez
President of the Government of the Kingdom of Spain
Excellency,

Allow me to express my gratitude for your country’s and your personal support for Georgia’s EU aspirations. The recognition of Georgia’s European perspective in June 2022lnas opened an entirely new chapter in our relationship with the EU. The above historic decision of the EU leaders landed a powerful message confirming that Georgia will become a member of the European Union. I want to avail myself of this opportunity to once again extend my most sincere gratitude for hosting me in Granada on the margins of the 3’d Summit of the European Political Community, which provided all of us with a timely opportunity to discuss Europe’s pressing issues.

There is no doubt that EU membership comes with long-term commitments and responsibilities. Let me assure you that we are not looking for any shortcuts. My government remains fully mobilized and resolved to continue and further accelerate reforms necessary on the EU accession path.

Since 2012, Georgia has demonstrated its robust commitment to become an EU member state. The far-reaching Association Agreement, the DCFTA, the visa-free travel, a strong security partnership, enhanced trade relations, and advanced cooperation in various sectors are the most vivid examples of our ever-growing partnership with the EU and its institutions. Since June 2022, Georgia has also demonstrated its strongest will to address 12 priorities provided by the European Commission’s Opinion on Georgia’s EU membership application. Importantly, our government has delivered concrete results translated into specific actions and massive legislative work implemented by Georgia to honor its commitments and progressively align with the EU acquis.

As a result, we were delighted with the European Commission’s recommendation to the Council to grant the candidate status to Georgia based on positive assessments reflected in the Communication of the European Commission on Enlargement Policy 2023 and the accompanying report on Georgia. The Commission’s recommendation reaffirms our resolve to continue delivering on our far-reaching European reform agenda.

Based on substantial progress demonstrated by Georgia and recent steps undertaken by the legislative and executive bodies, including steps addressing the Commission’s recommendations of November 8, I would like to express my firm belief that Spain and the EU will continue standing by Georgia by making another historic decision to grant the candidate status to Georgia. This decision will put Georgia on an irreversible track towards accession negotiations to become a full-fledged member of the EU.

This is a watershed moment for Georgia"s European future, and equally for the credibility of the EU’s enlargement policy as a geostrategic investment in peace, stability, and prosperity in the whole of Europe. In the heavily contested region, we continue strengthening Georgia’s role as a stronghold of regional peace and stability, democratic development, and cooperation; as well as a crucial link on the global connectivity map offering alternative routes for energy, freight transportation, and trade in the Black Sea. We are confident that Georgia, as a future EU member state, will play a key role for the common good of Europe.

Granting candidate status also will serve as an additional impetus for establishing lasting peace in Georgia. Let me express appreciation to your country and the EU for the unwavering support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as valuable contribution and support to the peaceful resolution of the Russia-Georgia conflict. We believe that strong engagement of the EU and its member states will be critical to ensure that Georgia’s occupied regions will be peacefully reintegrated and divided communities will be reconciled.

The future of Georgia lies in the EU, and there is no alternative to it. Our nation and my government expect that Spain and other EU member states will take strategic and a forward-looking decision this week that will firmly anchor Georgia - a future EU member state - with the family of European democracies. Relying on our continued cooperation to make Georgia’s dream a reality, please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Sincerely,
Irakli Garibashvili
Prime Minister of Georgia”.