“In these turbulent and unpredictable times, we do not have the luxury to delay important political decisions, which have to create a solid basis for expanding peace, security, and prosperity for the future of Europe, for our common future,” said Maka Botchorishvili, Chairwoman of the Georgian parliamentary European Integration Committee in Madrid addressing the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC), which brings together the EU affairs committees of national Parliaments, as well as Members of the European Parliament.

Here is the full speech as delivered:

“If you have to divide our continent into black and white today, where would you place the country that has a clear European identity and aspirations, which has been fighting against Russian aggression for more than three decades and has two regions still occupied by Russia?!

A country that managed to be a leader in the region in transforming and reforming according to the best European standards, in spite of immense security challenges.

In these turbulent and unpredictable times, when Russia is using the same pattern in Ukraine as it has used in Georgia, we do not have the luxury to delay important political decisions, which have to create a solid basis for expanding peace, security, and prosperity for the future of Europe, for our common future.

In the process of advancing its association with the EU over the past decade, Georgia has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to European integration. Moreover, the government is resolutely implementing EU recommendations put forward together with the European perspective last year.

We express our appreciation for granting European perspective to Georgia and do not hide our disappointment with the unnecessary differentiation between Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia at this very critical moment in European history.

Granting candidate status to Georgia and opening negotiations with candidate countries, together giving them a clear roadmap to EU membership, is the only way to go and it requires strong support and we count on you with this regard,” she said.