The government will ensure inclusiveness in the implementation of the European Commission’s newly defined nine steps for Georgia with the participation of parliamentary political parties and non-governmental organizations, said Irakli Kobakhidze, the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party chair.

According to the GD Chair, the ruling team proposed the opposition and the NGO sector join the process. He said the government worked on the EC’s 12 priority fulfilment, and the EC recommended the European Council grant Georgia candidate status “without their (opposition) participation.”

“The country will not collapse if they are not involved in fulfilling the nine steps. Our country will move forward. But it would be better if all stakeholders follow the EU’s requirement and join the process,” he said.

Irakli Kobakhidze said he has no hope that the opposition will engage in the working process.

“Unfortunately, the past experience gives us no grounds for optimism. In all cases, we will pass this stage and move on to the next. Nine priorities will be fulfilled, and as we receive a positive assessment on the fulfilment of the 12 points,” he said, adding a large-scale meeting was held with the NGOs, and a memorandum was signed to continue cooperation in this sphere.