Asked about Georgia's desire to see its country eventually join the EU, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and the Commissioner for Accession Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, called on the country to focus on current work on Tuesday 5 March.
"The implementation of the Association Agreement (...) and the '20 results for 2020' (implemented under the Eastern Partnership) will continue to be our objectives in the remaining period of our mandate," Ms Mogherini told reporters after the 5th EU-Georgia Association Council. According to her, the issue is not so much to have high levels of ambition, but to focus on the agenda that is already there and that will bring positive results.
The same is true for Mr Hahn, for whom the Association Agreement and the Comprehensive and Deep Free Trade Area (DCFTA) are, "for the short and medium term, the most important things”. “Let's focus on achievable, concrete deliverables," he added.
For his part, the Georgian Prime Minister, Mamuka Bakhtadze, underlined his country's desire to move closer to the EU. "We have promised ourselves to be a role model in the region when it comes to moving closer to the EU. We will do our best to deliver on our promises despite internal and external challenges," he said. He added, “We promise to continue on this path and hope will be fully welcomed to contribute to the European family. We are fully committed on the path towards the EU.”
In addition, while some Member States complain about unjustified asylum applications from Georgian citizens, who have been granted visa-free status since 2017, the Commissioner asked the government to deal with unfounded applications, while pointing out that there had only been a few thousand. In the Association Council statement, the EU also encouraged Tbilisi to further strengthen its cooperation with EU Member States in the fight against illegal immigration and organised crime.
Mr Hahn and Ms Mogherini also highlighted the importance of continuing rule of law reforms and strengthening judicial institutions. They also recalled the EU's support for the territorial integrity of Georgia. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)