International Reactions to Georgia’s EU Candidate Status

The decision of the European Council to grant Georgia the status of an EU candidate country was followed by international reactions.

Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, tweeted that he had called to congratulate the Presidents of Moldova and Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Georgia. In his tweet, Michel acknowledged the historic decision taken by the European Council and expressed that the future of these countries lies within the European Union family.

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, tweeted her congratulations to the people of Georgia and acknowledged the historic significance of the day for both the country and the European Union. “We heard you and your European aspirations, and today, Georgia is proud to be given the EU candidate status” she stated.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, noted that the decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and to grant candidate status to Georgia was “a strategic decision and a day that will remain engraved in the history of our Union.”

HR/VP Josep Borrell stated that the opening of negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and the granting of candidate status to Georgia is a historic step, stating: “The decision by EUCO is a testament to our partners’ commitment and dedication to our common values and EU reforms”.

The European Union Delegation to Georgia shared a video on Facebook featuring the EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski and ambassadors from all EU member states in Georgia. In the video, each ambassador congratulates Georgia in their native language on being granted EU candidate status.

Javier Colomina, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General and Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, congratulated the Georgian people and authorities and underscored NATO’s strong support for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, congratulated Georgian people and President Zurabishvili, stating: “Georgia belongs to our common European home.”

President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, congratulated Georgia and President Salome Zurabishvili, stating: “Moldova stands with you in this journey, as together we forge a stronger, more united Europe”.

Hadas Meitzad, Israeli Ambassador to Georgia, congratulated Georgia, noting: “An appropriate ending for Hanukkah, and a great way to greet the new year”.

Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, tweeted his congratulations in Georgian as follows: “Dear Georgians, congratulations on being granted the EU candidate status! This is a historic victory! Victory of each of you.”

Viola von Cramon, Member of the European Parliament, congratulated the Georgian people and recognized their commitment to democracy, but stressed that there’s more to achieve and more to go. She also expressed her hope to see Georgia in the EU, emphasizing “where you belong.”

Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, welcomed EUCO’s decision and expressed the readiness of the Council of Europe to support Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia on their way to the EU.

US Ambassador to Georgia, Robin Dunnigan, released a video congratulating the Georgians on their achievement and praising the EU for moving forward with enlargement. She also emphasized that the United States has supported and will continue to support the Georgians on their European path. “Congratulations to all Georgians, Gilotsavt, today is truly a historic day. The United States enthusiastically celebrates Georgia’s achievement of EU candidate status. We also commend the European Union and its member states for their commitment to expanding the European family of nations. As you celebrate being Georgian, and therefore European, the United States celebrates with you, and we are proud to have supported Georgia on this path, and we will continue to do so, again Gilotsavt, congratulations,” – said Ambassador Dunnigan

Matthew Miller, Spokesperson of the State Department of United States, congratulated Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Bosnia-Herzegovina on their “historic step toward their EU aspirations,” stating that the U.S “strongly supports enlargement and prospective candidates on their EU paths.”

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen welcomed the “historic decision” by the EUCO on Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.

Jim O’Brien, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, congratulated Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Bosnia-Herzegovina on the EUCO decisions, adding that it is “an exciting moment for our transatlantic partnership.”

Nicu Popescu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova, congratulated Georgian FM Ilia Darchiashvili and the country on receiving EU candidate status, saying that it “marks a significant stride toward EU membership, fostering a more robust region and a stronger Europe.”

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of EUCO, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas advised Georgia to continue implementing reforms in order to move forward on the European path:  “[My] main advice is that Georgia should also do their homework, I am also very happy that we were able to grant a candidate status, we know from our own history that this requires a lot of political will and a lot of reforms that you have to do in order to move forward, but I know that the Georgian people have chosen the European path,” – said Kallas.

The Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo, was also asked to deliver a message to Georgia following the granting of the EU candidacy. De Croo said: “Who wants to live in prosperity, who wants to live in a society, which respects one for another and which respects different opinions and who wants to live in security and is open to the necessary reforms, we are open for that as Europeans.” He added: “I think indeed we gave a very important message to whoever looks at Europe as a heaven of prosperity and of peace, and also a very clear message to the ones who threaten this, and especially to Moscow that we will not be intimidated.”

The President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, was also asked on the sidelines to address granting Georgia the EU candidate status. Nausėda congratulated Georgia, stressing that the country deserved the status: “Let’s celebrate, and congratulations to Georgia because you deserved it too and I know what were the reactions in the streets, I was following what was happening in the streets of Tbilisi, really, just a very good feeling. Let me celebrate in my heart,” – said Nausėda. 

On the sidelines of the EUCO, Latvian Prime Minister, Evika Siliņa, also stressed with the journalists that the decision taken by the European Council was historic: “We reached a historical decision not just for Ukraine and Moldova, as well as for Georgia, but for the European Union and our people, because we decided to open negotiations, accession discussions with Ukraine and Moldova. Giving candidate status for Georgia was also very important,” – said the Latvian President

More to follow …

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