PM at Davos Economic Forum: Georgia Needs Clarity, Adequate and Relevant Reaction from EU on European Aspirations
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili stated at a panel held within the Davos Economic Forum that Georgia is a reliable partner for the European Union. Gharibashvili delivered a speech on the panel on Rethinking the EU Partnership with the Neighborhood.
“This is the choice of our nation and does not belong only to the government. I would say that this is a civilized choice made by the Georgian people. We have shown a very loyal partnership with the EU because we share common values and principles,” Gharibashvili said, recalling that in 2014, Georgia signed an association agreement with the EU, which is Georgia's guide to full membership.
Speaking about granting Georgia candidate status at the Davos Economic Forum, Prime Minister said Georgia has paid a ‘very high price’ since regaining independence in the 1990s with two conflicts in the decade in its Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, and a large-scale war with Russia in 2008.
“The result of this war is a temporary occupation of our historic territories. We understand the concern that exists in the EU because they do not want to ‘import’ all these problems into the European family. But we also understand that granting a candidate status does not mean giving a membership. It’s still a long process. We understand that. We have our homework to do, which is the Association Agreement. But we need clarity and we need an adequate and relevant reaction from the European Union.”
At the forum, Gharibashvili asserted that there was a significant improvement in all areas in Georgia and that more than 45% of the Association Agreement had already been fulfilled.
“Since 2014, we have been pursuing a very ambitious reform agenda and improving in all areas, be it the rule of law, justice reform, open governance. We have made significant progress in all areas and people are seeing it.
Now the question is - do we raise these expectations? Should we tell our people that Georgia will receive this symbolic, political recognition? Recognition that Georgia is part of the European family ... Or shall we explain to them that time is not ripe yet and we may have to think about doing so in the future?”
Gharibashvili also said that the war in Ukraine is a challenge not only for this country but also for the security architecture of Europe, as a whole. Speaking of solidarity with Ukraine, he also recalled the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, saying that ‘unfortunately, then we did not see the unity we see today’. Hereby the PM welcomed this unity of the whole civilized world.
At the conclusion of his address to Forum participants, Garibashvili used a quote from a Georgian historical figure from the past century - famous Georgian scientist and co-author of the European Constitution, Mikheil Muskhelishvili, in a comment on Georgia’s European aspirations.
“Georgia knows that it belongs to Europe, now Europe should make conclusions.”
PM left for Switzerland on May 22 to participate in the annual World Economic Forum in Davos.
The Georgian delegation also includes the Deputy PM, Minister of Economy Levan Davitashvili, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ilia Darchiashvili.
Georgia submitted its application for EU membership on March 3. On April 11, Georgia was officially handed a questionnaire on self-assessment of candidate status - both parts have already been completed and submitted by the government.
