Georgia’s EU integration, the importance of the decision to grant the candidate status, progress on the path of reforms, and the regional situation were the key topics discussed at today’s meeting between Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and a delegation of the Political and Security Committee (PSC) of the Council of the European Union.

Special attention was paid to the European Council’s historic decision to grant the candidate status to Georgia, in this way advancing relations with the EU to a brand-new, strategic level. It was noted that the country seeks to achieve further progress on the path to EU membership. The Head of Government emphasized the importance of support from the EU member states in this process, and reaffirmed that EU membership remains one of the key priorities of Georgia’s foreign policy.

The conversation touched on Georgia-EU cooperation in the areas of economic integration and security. It was stated that Georgia remains the EU’s reliable partner in the region.

The parties also discussed the reforms envisaged under the Association Agenda and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement.

Attention at the meeting was paid to the dire situation in Georgia’s occupied territories.

Irakli Kobakhidze thanked the delegation’s members for supporting the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, also underlining that the Government is committed to the policy of peaceful conflict resolution. In this context, the importance of the Office of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia, and the EU Monitoring Mission, was underscored.