Giorgi Gakharia, the Chairman of the “For Georgia” party, has addressed the leaders of the EU member states with an open letter, asking for their support in granting Georgia EU candidacy status.
As he claims in the address, the Georgian people have made their choice – they chose the European Union as their historical and strategic goal.
“Today, we stand closer than ever to achieving this goal,” reads the letter.
“Dear leaders of EU member states,
As the former Prime Minister of Georgia, I am writing to request your support for the granting of EU candidate status to my country. The Georgian people have made their choice clear – they chose European Union as their historic destiny and a strategic goal. Today we stand closer than ever to achieving this goal. We owe this opportunity to the courage and determination of the Ukrainian people and we are in need of your support.
Russian aggression against Ukraine marked a turning point in the post-Cold War history and brought our geopolitical interests closer together. We both stand to benefit from Georgia`s eventual integration in the EU. There is no more room for grey zones in Europe. There can be no peace and security without the end of empires and their spheres of influence. I firmly believe that granting EU candidate status will help transform Georgia, further strengthen our relationship and deepen cooperation to tackle the challenges we face.
The decision to be made in the coming months will largely determine Georgia`s future development and the fate of our democracy. Many of you are probably concerned with the state of democracy and the rule of law in my country. The process of European integration can change it; the lack of it, on the other hand, could send Georgia to the path of single party authoritarianism. The granting of candidate status will not only demonstrate the EU`s commitment to supporting democratic aspirations of the Georgian people, but will also contribute to the peace and stability of the region as a whole.
I thank you in advance for your attention to this matter, which is of existential importance to my country.
Please accept, Excellency, assurances of my highest consideration.
Giorgi Gakharia
Former Prime Minister of Georgia
Chairman of Political Party “For Georgia,” – reads the address.
source: georgiatoday