“Georgia has an open European perspective for the first time and it needs to seize the opportunity and seize the moment,” said Andreja Metelko-Zgombic, State Secretary for European Affairs of Croatia, ahead of the informal meeting of European Affairs Ministers in Stockholm, Sweden.

“We are really looking forward to hearing today during the lunch, informal oral brief on the progress of each of the three countries. Yes, we are fully aware of all expressed assessments of the Commission.

We will be following it very closely and for Georgia, what counts is that for the first time, it has an open European perspective and it needs to seize the opportunity and seize the moment. And we will be their strong supporter also in their own endeavours, but they need to do their homework by themselves.

We will be seeing how things will be evolving throughout this year because the decision will be taken in December. There’ll be the final assessment on the fulfilment of the required conditions. Absolutely, and I would say that the open-door policy is already in place and enforced. And the faster the candidate countries are able to fulfil the criteria and to transform themselves because the process matters. It is not the ultimate goal of entering the EU.

The value of the process need also to be accepted, or confirmed because this is what is important. Aligning with the EU policies, with the foreign and common security policy, undertaking all the reforms in order to be fit for the future membership,” she said.