Minister of Foreign Affairs Ilia Darchiashvili Meets with EU Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, July 21, 2023
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili, visited Brussels on a working visit during which he held meetings with the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy, Oliver Varhelyi, and the Director-General of the Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission, Gert Jan Koopman. The press office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia disseminated information about this.
According to their reports, the purpose of the visit was to assess the process of Georgia's accession to the European Union, discuss the current agenda of Georgia-EU cooperation, and determine future steps.
"It was noted that Georgia made significant efforts in the context of the EU enlargement policy, which were reflected both in the report prepared by the country and in the oral assessment of the European Commission. The parties reviewed the current progress in implementing the 12 priorities set by the European Commission. The reforms carried out by Georgia in various directions, which contribute to fulfilling the 12 priorities, were positively evaluated.
The parties gave a positive assessment of all aspects of Georgia-EU cooperation, highlighting the high dynamics of the current year. Special attention was paid to the steps taken in terms of sectoral and economic integration, as well as future plans. They emphasized the important role of Georgia and its strategic function in terms of connectivity, positively evaluating the projects implemented in the transit direction within the middle corridor concept. The discussions at the meetings also addressed the security environment and geopolitical challenges in the region.
The parties exchanged opinions on the further steps required for Georgia's integration into the European Union. They positively evaluated the close high-level contacts between the parties and expressed hope that the country's efforts and current progress would be properly reflected in the European Commission's enlargement report," stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.
Both Varhelyi and Darchiashvili wrote on Twitter after the meeting, sharing their thoughts and key points discussed.
EU Commissioner tweeted that the meeting involved discussions about Georgia's progress on the way to the European Union.
"Discussed #Georgia's progress on its EU path. Georgian Minister Darchiashvili assured me that progress on the 12 priorities is well on track. Important to continue & accelerate this work before our 2023 Enlargement Report."
Darchiashvili expressed on Twitter his hope that Georgia's endeavor to join the European Union will be duly recognized.
"At the meeting with EU Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi, we focused on Georgia's progress on the path to EU accession, as well as on the implementation of 12 recommendations. I hope that Georgia's efforts to join the European Union will be properly recognized in the 2023 enlargement report," Darchiashvili wrote.
