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Thank you President, Honourable Members [of the European Parliament], 

Your resolution comes at an important juncture for the EU-Georgia relations. The European perspective granted last June set our relations on an even closer course, building upon the long-standing cooperation anchored in the Association Agreement.   

The EU-Georgia Association Agreement remains a strong driver for reforms, bringing the country closer to the EU values, principles, standards and legislation.  

The European path sets the bar high as regards the standards Georgia needs to meet and brings increased scrutiny and monitoring of reforms. At the same time, it also provides a wider set of EU tools to accompany Georgia in this process. 

So, I start with the important reforms which have always been at the core of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement and are also reflected in the 12 priorities.  

An ambitious and comprehensive judicial reform, ensuring the independence, integrity and transparency of key judicial institutions, as well as a systemic and inclusive review of the electoral legislation, remain essential. It is positive that Georgian authorities have submitted a number of legislative amendments to the OSCE/ODHIR and the Venice Commission, and we encourage the full implementation of their recommendations, including on key reform elements that are currently missing in the draft legislation.   

On the fight against corruption, a new Anti-Corruption Bureau is due to be set up and I want to underline the need to ensure that this Bureau is truly independent. OSCE/ODHIR and Venice Commission’s opinion would be also very relevant here. 

An independent Ombudsman is also a key element in a democratic society. I welcome that the selection process of a new Public Defender has been, until now, inclusive and transparent and we look forward for it to conclude in the same manner. I hope that the political parties can reach a consensus, also involving a significant number of opposition parties in order to support the next Public Defender’s independence. 

In our political dialogue, we have been also following closely the situation of former president [of Georgia, Mikheil] Saakashvili recalling both bilaterally and publicly the authorities’ responsibility for his health and well-being as well of course as his right to a fair trial.  

Turning now to the economic/ sectoral cooperation with Georgia, the process of aligning national law with European Union law as part of the Association Agreement is overall on track and progressing in these areas. A thorough analysis of Georgia’s state of preparedness regarding the EU acquis is due by the end of this year. At the same time, the European Union is fully behind Georgia’s efforts of becoming a digital and energy hub across an increasingly important economic corridor between the East and the West.   

We also understand Georgia’s vulnerable position in the current geopolitical context and we remain firmly supportive of its sovereignty, territorial integrity. We also remain committed to further strengthen Georgia’s resilience.  

I stress that the European Union remains a close friend and partner to Georgia. This is a crucial moment for the whole country to unite and work resolutely for the common strategic goal of European Union membership. 

Thank you. 

Link to the video (starting at 06:55): https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-234788  

 Closing remarks  

Thank you Madam President, Honourable Members [of the European Parliament],  

The debate today testifies of our continued engagement and desire to see Georgia succeed in its reforms and on the European path.  

But we need also Georgia to work hard and deliver on these reforms, particularly on the 12 priorities, in an inclusive process, involving opposition and civil society and consulting European partners. It is the only way for the country to advance on its chosen European path, for the benefit of the future of all Georgian citizens who expect their aspirations to be met.   

With regards to what has the European Union done on the [former president of Georgia, Mikheil] Saakashvili case, we have consistently stressed both in private meetings and publicly that the Georgian authorities have a legal responsibility to ensure the health of all detainees, to provide adequate medical treatment and respect their fundamental rights in line with Georgia’s international commitments. 

Hence, the Georgian authorities are responsible to act if the health condition Mr Saakashvili [Mikheil, former president of Georgia] is in critical condition. 

The European Union repeatedly urged the Georgian authorities to implement recommendations by independent medical experts and to implement the interim measures use issued by the ECHR. 

Throughout recent months - and most recently on Wednesday of last week - we had commented publicly to the media that the responsibility for the health of Mr Saakashvili Mikheil, former president of Georgia] rests with the State. This is not this not as a matter of political choice but as a matter of fundamental human rights. 

With regards to a timeline for Georgia to join the European Union, as you know becoming a member of the European Union is not something that happens overnight. It is subject to a thorough process involving substantial work across all membership criteria. So the pace of accession depends on the progress in reform, first and foremost in the fundamental areas starting with the rule of law. 

Right now, Georgia is encouraged to address the 12 points outlined by the European Commission in order to receive candidate status. The Council invited the Commission to report on the fulfilment of these steps and priorities as part of its regular Enlargement Package in 2023. 

Thank you. 

 Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-234790