Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said that Finland supports granting EU candidate status to Georgia.
“We need a decision on enlargement. We need a clear signal to all states who want to be members of the union, that we are ready to negotiate. Then we have to decide to start negotiations. And finally, I have to say that Russia’s threat is real. That’s why we have to boost our defense industry,” the Finnish PM remarked.
The European Council meets in Brussels on December 14-15 to discuss the enlargement package, which involves ten countries. Among the key considerations are granting Georgia the status of a candidate for EU membership, initiating membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, and the EU perspective of the Western Balkans.