Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Friday said the European Council’s decision to grant the country the EU candidate status was a “very important historic decision” and a “new stage” for Georgia.
In his comments to the media at the event, held on Freedom Square in the capital, at the initiative of the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Davitashvili congratulated the country’s citizens on this decision and noted Georgia had been waiting for this “for centuries” – “to return to the European family”, the Ministry of Economy said.
Davitashvili stressed it was a “significant” day for the country as it was united around one “great goal” – the EU membership.
For us, being in Europe is a civilisational choice, and therefore it surpasses economic, pragmatic goals. Therefore, it is a really important day in the life of Georgia, a great day for every Georgian, and we are all emotional when Georgia officially received the EU membership candidate status. This is the beginning of a new stage in our country”, he noted.
The Minister pointed out that the country had been following the European integration path since 2014 and had fulfilled all its obligations undertaken under the Association Agreement, adding Georgia was an “outstanding” country among the Eastern Partnership member states.
He also highlighted the commitments “thoroughly” fulfilled by the country and extended his gratitude to the civil servants for their contribution to this process.
