It was a historic decision to give Georgia a European perspective in 2022, which meant that the geographical wall between Georgia and Europe had finally collapsed, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said on Monday in her press remarks following a meeting with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda.

According to the President, obtaining EU candidate status is the Georgian people’s non-alternative goal.

“The Georgian people overcame many difficulties and challenges to defend freedom and European values. This struggle continues. Georgia and the Georgian people have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to European values recently and on numerous occasions in recent years,” said the President adding that 80% of Georgians choose EU integration.

“It was a historic decision to give Georgia a European perspective in 2022, which meant that the geographical wall between Georgia and Europe had finally collapsed. The question of whether Georgia belongs to the European family no longer exists. It is a remarkable achievement. Today, candidate status is our primary goal. Georgia and the Georgian people deserve to reclaim their historical place in Europe. Georgia should be admitted as an EU candidate. It will be our joint triumph. This will prove Europe’s strength and unity,” she continued.

President Zourabichvili also urged the Alliance to take efficient steps to return to the spirit of the Bucharest summit declaration and recognize Georgia’s progress towards NATO membership at the Vilnius Summit in July. Georgia, she claims, has demonstrated numerous examples of worthy and reliable partnerships over the last 20 years.

“Nobody should give Russia false hope that isolated Georgia will become another and easy target for it,” she added.

The President discussed Russia’s war in Ukraine and its consequences for the region and expressed full support for Ukraine.

“Russia must acknowledge its borders, return to its territory once and for all, and cease occupying other countries’ territories,” she said.

Georgian President expressed gratitude for Lithuania’s constant and unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and European and Euro-Atlantic integration.