Georgian President Thanks EU for Canadidate Status

Tbilisi: Salome Zourabichvili, Georgian President, expressed her gratitude to the leadership of the European Union for granting Candidate status to Georgia . She stated that this would pave the way for the most strong and stable relationship between Georgia and the European Union in Future.

Salome Zourabichvili on Thursday also praised the European Council’s decision to grant her country the European Union membership candidate status and termed it a “monumental milestone” for Georgia and ” European family”.

At the same time President also expressed her gratitude to EU member countries for their “resolute support towards Georgia’s European reunification journey” and stressed that “your recognition echoes the steadfast determination of the Georgian people, a will that remains unshaken across generations.”

President also reacted to congratulations from the presidents of Ukraine and Moldova, who extended her congratulations on opening accession talks with the European bloc.

Salome Zourabichvili, during her address to the nation, stressed the developments would not have transpired without the “relentless dedication and a two-year arduous struggle” of the Ukrainian people against Russia and other anti-Georgia countries.  

She further explained that the achievement also owed itself to the “unity of the Georgian people” and their strength to stay united and said that without collective efforts, the goal would not have been achieved.

At the same time, Salome Zourabichvili Expressed her readiness to join the public celebration on Friday in central Tbilisi, announced by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday; Zourabichvili encouraged everyone to join in the festivities to celebrate the victory of the country. 

She also remarked, “Let us all stand together tomorrow to celebrate the victory of our great nation as it marks the celebration of Georgia”.

On the other hand, European Council President Charles Michel announced the candidate status for Georgia and the opening of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova late on Thursday. He also added that talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina would commence “once the necessary degree of compliance with membership criteria is reached”.

It is worth mentioning that President Salome Zourabichvili herself led the campaign, namely “Our Voice to Europe”. During this campaign, millions of people signed the petition to support the Georgian Integration process into the European Union.

Just two days ago, on 13 December 2023, President Salome Zourabichvili handed over signature documents that were collected during the long campaign of “Our Voice to Europe”.

It is worth mentioning that in the latest session of the assembly, the President invited both current and former high-ranking Georgian officials, including prime ministers, foreign affairs ministers, as well as opposition representatives and diplomatic envoys, to the Orbeliani palace to discuss the Process of European Integration.

Almost all the parties attended the meeting except the ruling party, “Georgian Dream”. All of them extend their unconditional support for the Candidate status campaign in Georgia.