Several thousand Georgians took to the streets on Wednesday to demonstrate their strong support for their country's pursuit of EU membership, following Brussels' recommendation to grant Georgia candidate status.
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili hailed the development as a "historic victory," while President Salome Zurabishvili expressed her joy at the news. In a powerful display of solidarity, President Zurabishvili addressed a gathered crowd outside the presidential palace in Tbilisi, waving both Georgian and EU flags.
During her address, President Zurabishvili announced the initiation of a petition, open for public signatures, urging European capitals to formally place Georgia on the path to membership. The petition unequivocally stated, "We call on you to grant our nation the candidate status, in accordance with the longstanding aspirations of the Georgian nation and the unyielding will of its people. Our future lies with you -- in Europe. This future has no alternative!"
The final decision regarding Georgia's candidate status will be made during an EU summit scheduled for December. This significant step forward in Georgia's pursuit of EU membership comes after the country, along with Ukraine and Moldova, submitted applications in the wake of Russia's incursion into Ukraine in February 2022.
While the EU granted candidate status to Kyiv and Chisinau, it urged Tbilisi to prioritize critical reforms. These reforms include enhancements in the judiciary and electoral systems, the promotion of press freedom, and measures to curtail the influence of oligarchs.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that Brussels' recommendation is contingent on the Georgian government's commitment to implementing reforms that align with the genuine desires of the majority of its citizens to join the European Union.
Notably, membership in both the European Union and NATO is enshrined in Georgia's constitution and enjoys robust support from over 80 percent of the country's population, according to opinion polls.
By Salam Bustanji
