“After the historical decision of the European Council of June 24, 2022, the Georgia-EU relations have progressed to a new stage. The EU decision granted Georgia along with Ukraine and Moldova a real EU integration perspective, which constitutes our Constitutional goal and our political agenda has to the most extent been related to this significant event. Despite that the approach of the European Council to three associated states is to some extent differentiated, it is crystal clear that it means the window of opportunity for Georgia and we have a chance to use this advantage”, - the Co-Chair of the Georgia-EU Parliamentary Association Committee at the opening of the 11th session.

According to her, the Government of Georgia attaches serious attention to the EU recommendations set out to Georgia along with the decisions of the European Council for the receipt of the EU candidate status and further progress on the EU integration path.

M. Botchorishvili overviewed the Parliamentary agenda ensuring the achievement of the hereof goal, which according to her, allows Georgia to as soon as possible demonstrate progress in the fulfillment of the EU recommendations.

“The European perspective is a chance to guarantee our European future and on the other hand, it is yet another test for the Georgian political spectrum and Georgian society. All Georgian politicians today shall acknowledge that the European future of our country needs their bona fide engagement in the EU integration process since there is the absolute majority of the Georgian population behind us willing to see Georgia in the EU as they consider themselves as part of Europe. Thus, we shall do all in our power to take this historical advantage and put the EU integration process on an irreversible path. It is the goal driving the Georgian Government today in this very complicated geopolitical situation aggravated with the Russian occupation and various hybrid threats”.

As she noted, the Association Agreement and the Association Agenda, approved by the Georgia-EU Association Council two weeks ago remain a guideline for our EU integration.

“We well realize the importance of the reforms for the successful EU integration of Georgia, while the main objective of our reforms is to create a better life standard for our citizens and ensure better protection of their rights and dignity, to make our country take its dignified place in the democratic world. These are the very reforms to make Georgia fully compatible with the EU and lead us to EU integration. The achievement of this goal also requires stability in our country and economic development, which constitutes an acute challenge, significantly aggravating the geopolitical situation in the region”.

In her speech, M. Botchorishvili dwelt on the unjustified Russian war against Ukraine posing threat to the democratic world. “Georgia is best to understand the meaning and value of the uneven fight for freedom and protection of own dignity and independence. In this geopolitical situation, providing the challenges we face, the EU integration of Georgia acquires even higher importance. Besides, the achievement of our goal requires the approximation of our legislation and the state system to the EU; we need to create wider ways for the achievement of the outlined goal, enhance people-to-people links and intensify economic cooperation. The geolocation of Georgia grants not only the challenges but a number of the advantages for us, which shall be to the maximal extent used”.

According to her, the Black Sea shall not serve as a dividing point between Georgia and the EU but shall constitute a sea of opportunities for a closer physical connection of Georgia to the EU. Besides that, the European Council granted the European perspective to Georgia, and significant steps have been taken on the EU-Georgia relations dimension.

“In July 2022, the EU opened the procurement market for Georgian companies, which facilitates our integration in the EU economic area. Yesterday, Georgia submitted the application for accession to the SEPA. The steps have been taken for the last 6 months to meet the respective criteria for making our application more solid and ensure the Georgian bank system becomes a part of the SEPA. This process facilitates our further integration to the EU economic area. We have a multitude of advantages ahead for our successful EU integration; in this view, we need the support of our European partners and I hope that the efforts of Georgia and the geopolitical challenges we encounter will be properly estimated and Georgia will soon enjoy the EU candidate status”, - she stated and thanked the European colleagues for their visit and wished the Committee productive and constructive activity.