The minister told me that 85% of the population supports Georgia’s joining the European Union, which strengthens our desire to assist you in becoming Europeans, said French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna during a joint press briefing following her meeting with Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili.

Catherine Colonna responded to a question from a GPB First Channel journalist: “For years, France has been one of the sceptical countries towards Georgia’s European integration process. The events of 2022 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the new geopolitical situation have changed your scepticism, and at the end of the year, when the debate on Georgia’s candidate status will take place. Should Georgia hope for a favourable response from France?”

“For the European dream to become a reality,” the minister said, “we must rely on all the forces that exist in the country. Russian aggression in Ukraine has paradoxically changed many things, including the EU’s willingness to move forward. Georgia’s Foreign Minister informed me that 85% of the country wants to join the European Union. This fuels our passion to assist you in becoming a European citizen. The European dream must become a reality, and we must rely on all the forces that exist in the country,” the French Minister said.

Catherine Colonna praised Georgian civil society, saying “Georgia is fortunate to have dynamic, serious, and demanding organizations. In a democratic society, she believes, inclusive collaboration with civil society is required. Upon my arrival, I wanted to meet with the civil society. Georgia is fortunate to have organizations that are energetic, serious, and demanding. This is something that France and Georgia have in common. If I can make a suggestion, it is that you must collaborate, listen to each other, and listen to each other’s criticism to move forward. In a democratic society, collaboration with civil society is essential”.

As French Minister mentioned, “Georgia can count on the support of France.”

“As far as I know, there were also pro-European demonstrations in the spring, and 85% of Georgians support Georgia’s membership in the European Union. This is a number that gets us thinking and gives us a look into the future. Georgia, I believe, is united on this issue, and in June, it was unanimously accepted that Georgia’s future lies in Europe. We want to make this future a reality,” the Minister said, highlighting the need of meeting EC’s 12 criteria to attain candidacy status.

“It is necessary to carry out reforms that ensure freedom, protect institutions from various influences, and ensure pluralism and freedom of expression. Georgia will only join the European Union as a result of this because these are European principles,” Catherine Colonna added.