Update: President Tours Capitals to Promote EU Candidacy
Despite the government’s refusal, President Zurabishvili has embarked on a series of visits to European leaders to persuade them to grant Georgia EU candidate status by the end of the year.
On September 1, she met with the President of the European Council Charles Michel. Michel welcomed President Zurabishvili’s commitment to advancing Georgia on the European path and assured her of the European Union’s full support. He emphasized that the European Council’s decision to grant Georgia an EU perspective represents a historic opportunity. Michel stressed: “Further reforms needed – justice, depolarization, deoligarchization. And building inclusive political culture”.
According to a European Council press release, the leaders discussed EU-Georgia relations, broader developments in the region, and the consequence of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine for Georgia and the South Caucasus.
President Michel praised the Georgian President’s role in terms of contributing to legislative scrutiny, exercising her right to pardon individuals, which has contributed to depolarisation, and her strong political focus on the EU-Georgia agenda was particularly appreciated.
President Michel reaffirmed the EU’s unwavering support to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within its international recognised borders. He stressed the EU remained committed to increasing Georgia’s resilience.
A day earlier, Zurabishvili met with German President Frank Walter Steinmeier. Georgian President expressed her gratitude to President Frank Walter Steinmeier for their meeting, which marked the beginning of her European tour, adding: “Germany’s support will be crucial. Georgian people believe in their European future”.
On September 6, the Georgian President shared a video on social media with French President Emmanuel Macron, saying they had a very productive talk regarding Georgia’s EU candidacy.
Macron said he was happy to receive the Georgian president in Paris. According to him, they talked about Georgia, its candidacy for the European Union membership, and the future of the country and the region. He expressed his full support for democracy and the rule of law and said he believes that the future of the Georgian people lies in Europe. Macron pledged continued support to the Georgian president.
Also Read:
- 01/09/2023 – EU Partners React to Announcement of Impeachment Proceedings against President
- 01/09/2023 – Georgian Dream Launches Impeachment Proceedings Against President
- 30/08/2023 – Georgian Government Denies Permission for Series of International Visits by President
This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
