Although Georgia, unlike Ukraine and Moldova, has not yet been accepted as a candidate for accession, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s hopes for EU membership live on. “Our goal is to join this European family,” he said on Friday after meeting Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) in Vienna. He promised support, but also emphasized that the EU integration of the Western Balkans is important for Austria.
The head of government of the ÖVP also interprets the fact that EU heads of state or government are demanding further reforms from Georgia before candidate status is possible as a “perspective” for those responsible for the government in Tiflis (Tbilisi) . “Problems should not be denied, they should be solved,” Nehammer said. “Progress comes from the solution.”
Rules are needed for the EU accession process, but Austria will support Georgia. For example, when it comes to creating legal certainty for investments or stability and security. For example, more cooperation in the fight against organized crime is planned.
Russia occupies territories
Georgia is an important geostrategic partner in a security-politically challenging situation, Nehammer said, saying that “20 percent of the country is occupied by Russian troops”. But that is precisely why Georgia has the potential to be a “mediator” in a security policy dialogue. Russia has occupied the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia since a brief war in 2008.
Georgia an “exemplary democracy”
Garibashvili stated that Georgia is ready to work through the “twelve points” allocated to the country by the EU in order to obtain candidate status. And this together with the opposition and civil society to ensure that the rapprochement with the EU is as broad as possible. His country has come a long way. “We have inherited the legacy of an authoritarian country,” said the prime minister, presenting his country as an “exemplary democracy”.
“Human rights are guaranteed. Media freedom too. In Georgia you can set up a new TV channel in ten days without huge hurdles.” These achievements must also be recognized.
Concerns over conflict in Ukraine
With regard to the situation in Ukraine, which has been affected by the Russian war of aggression, Garibashvili expressed “concern”. “We experienced that in 2008. But there is no alternative to peace. We must end the war.” Given the war in Ukraine and Ukraine’s accelerated rapprochement with the EU, the Georgian government also applied for membership in Brussels in March.
While Ukraine and Moldova were named candidate countries at the end of June, Georgia has to be patient. At their summit, the EU Heads of State or Government renounced the granting of candidate country status to Georgia. Georgia was said to have to meet other reform demands first.
Since the summit, there have been pro-European demonstrations in Georgia, also targeting the government. Activists accuse her of doing too little for EU integration.
Georgia must ‘do homework’
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said on Friday: “We support Georgia’s desire for an EU perspective. Especially in light of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, it is in our strategic interest that Georgia is firmly anchored in the European family.
But it is also clear “that the Georgian government must do its homework,” Schallenberg said in a statement from the foreign ministry. “The first reform steps are a positive signal, but there is still a long way to go and requires national solidarity from all relevant actors.”
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
