Dear Colleagues,

Dear Friends,

Today, as we gathered to discuss new security challenges in Europe and Georgia’s path to EU membership, it is important to recall that the European Union is a peace project. Throughout its existence there has never been a war on the EU territory. Instead, the EU has been an example of a prosperous economic and political cooperation among the member states.

But since 24 February, 2022, war has been brought back in Europe. The unprovoked, unjustified and increasingly brutal war of aggression launched by Russia against Ukraine has shaken the world. This war also highlighted the importance of a strong common security and defence policy. In the face of Russian aggression, we have managed to strengthen our unity, while supporting Ukraine in an unprecedented way. We will do so as long as it takes until a Ukrainian Victory.

Supporting Ukraine and working for peace go hand in hand.  In all this, the EU does not ask anyone to ‘pick a side’. We just ask everybody to stand on the side of the UN Charter and international law. The EU encourages all partners, especially aspiring to become EU candidate country, to align with the EU and other countries in our efforts to put an end to this horrendous war.

The European Union is aware that the war in Ukraine has exasperated security challenges in the region. And here I want to once again express the EU’s firm support to Georgia’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and our continued engagement with the EU Special Representative and the EU Monitoring Mission.

The EU and Georgia share the common vision of a peaceful and prosperous South Caucasus region. Georgia remains one of the closest and most important partners of the EU in the region. In current times, where the security context has radically changed, the EU reiterates its firm commitment to support Georgia to achieve peaceful conflict resolution, as well as to contribute to the stabilisation of the whole region. To this end, the EU has continued to step up its support in strengthening Georgia’s resilience.

The war in Ukraine also brought major changes in the EU’s enlargement policy. As you know since last year our cooperation with the so-called Trio countries entered a new phase when Ukraine and Moldova received candidate status and Georgia the European Perspective. Please do not underestimate the importance of the European perspective. Those familiar with the EU’s long and cumbersome enlargement policy knows what a major breakthrough it is for these countries to be part of the enlargement policy.

The European Union also stated its readiness to grant Georgia EU candidate status once key priorities are addressed. This was both a historic decision and a unique opportunity which opened for Georgia. Georgia has long ago decided that its place is in the European Union. This is a historic choice of Georgia and the Georgian people.

Becoming a member of the European Union requires strong political will and unwavering dedication towards fulfilling the membership criteria.  That requires unity, hard work and many compromises. These are things that are not easy, but they are possible. We have also witnessed on many occasions that firm commitment to EU integration is what people of Georgia expect from its political leaders.

Georgia has never been as close to the European Union as it is now. As we are waiting for the decision of the 27 EU Heads of State and Government on the candidate status, we encourage all political leaders in Georgia to take advantage of this window of opportunity and deliver on the reforms described in the 12 Priorities. The EU remains ready to assist Georgia in these efforts.