Romania, Finland, Croatia vow backing for Georgia’s EU candidacy
The European Council will decide on Georgia’s EU candidacy this week. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Tweet 
Share
Romanian, Finnish and Croatian officials for European affairs on Tuesday pledged their governments’ support for Georgia’s European Union candidacy ahead of the European Council’s decision on the status this week.
Anders Adlercreutz, Finland's Minister of European Affairs, said his country was endorsing the granting of the status to Georgia after the latter’s meeting of the prerequisites, and emphasised the need for a “consistent standard” for all membership candidates.
It is crucial that Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine follow a clear path to membership, adhering to the same standard. The final decision on expansion should be based on a merit-based process”, the official said.
Andreja Metelko-Zgombić, the Croatian State Secretary for European Affairs, expressed optimism about Tbilisi’s European prospects by saying "I genuinely hope that we will confirm the candidate status, providing another positive boost for Georgia. You truly deserve it".
The Minister urged Georgian citizens to “persist in their commitment” to a European future, stating "now that you have made this decision [to apply for membership in March 2022], your future lies within the EU. We call on Georgians to maintain their dedication, and I believe that confirming the candidate status will be a positive message for you".
Daniela Gîtman, the Romanian State Secretary for European Affairs, highlighted the significance of the decision on enlargement based on the European Commission’s November report, which recommended granting Tbilisi the candidacy and opening accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova.
We need to send a signal to our partners that we keep our word and are ready for action. We encourage our partners from the Eastern bloc and the Western Balkans to continue reforms", Gîtman said.
She also added Ukraine required a “comprehensive support package” beyond the European path.
Pascual Ignacio Navarro Ríos, the Spanish Secretary of State for European Union Affairs, on Tuesday pledged his Government, the current Chair of the Council of the European Union, would act in line with the recommendations of the European Commission for Georgia to be granted EU membership candidate status.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Monday said “no country” was against granting the European Union membership candidate status to Georgia, and further expressed his confidence the European Council would make the “important decision in the next few days”.
Lithuanian, Latvian and Finnish foreign ministers on Monday pledged their governments' support for Georgia to be granted the European Union membership candidate status in press comments on the sidelines of the bloc’s Foreign Affairs Council session, which came ahead of the EU’s Eastern Partnership Ministerial meeting in Brussels.
Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs, on Monday highlighted the “good news” of Georgia advancing towards European Union membership.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Tuesday participated in the Ministerial Council meeting of the Organisation for Democracy and Economic Development involving Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova.
Oliver Varhelyi, the European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Policy, on Tuesday said Georgia and its Government “have done their job” and for that they should be granted the EU membership candidate status.
Laurence Boone, the French Minister of State for Europe, on Tuesday said the country’s Government supported the granting of the European Union membership candidate status to Georgia, ahead of the European Council’s anticipated decision on Friday.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Sunday congratulated Bulgaria and Romania on the European Council’s decision to enlarge the Schengen area for them, lifting internal air and maritime border controls for the countries.