Georgia has come a long way. Georgia has delivered, and its government has delivered. So, they should be granted candidate status, said the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, following the EU Foreign and European Affairs Ministerial in Brussels.

“This is a strategic decision, which is to be made by the leaders themselves. I think that our proposals are very clear. We think that Georgia has come a long way. Georgia has delivered, and its government has delivered. So, they should be granted candidate status. Whether this is going to be followed by the European Council remains to be seen.

What I send as a message to the government of Georgia and the people of Georgia is to continue working. This is the best recipe for success.

You’ve seen that this year has been a momentous year for the EU’s enlargement policy. I’m very glad that we not only have been able to provide proposals to the Council but that decisions are being made.

The Council conclusions that have been adopted today are fundamental for any progress to go ahead with enlargement. I think that the Council conclusions have largely confirmed the substantial reports that we have put forward to the Council for the 10 candidate countries.

The first time that we have 10 countries to report on. I think that our reports and recommendations on the merits of the countries have been followed through pretty much by the Council”, - said Olivér Várhelyi.