“We are the people of Europe and our voice must be heard throughout Europe, from the Mediterranean to the North Sea, from Lisbon to Tbilisi and beyond,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a speech delivered at the congress of the Party of European Socialists (PES) in Berlin, Germany, on Saturday.

In his speech, German Chancellor reminded that at the European Council meeting in June, the EU leaders unanimously agreed to grant Ukraine and Moldova with the candidate status, while greenlit Georgia’s European perspective.

“Of course, the Western Balkan countries have a place with us – in the part of free and democratic Europe. We promised to the candidate countries – almost 20 years ago to Western Balkan countries and action should follow these words. This is what the Party of European Socialists supports and what is good for us. If we want to protect values ​​in a world with 10 billion people in the future, with 27, 30 or 36 countries, with more than 500 million citizens, the EU will be able to better defend itself from a global perspective,” he said.

According to the German Chancellor, he presented some initiatives about the EU future in Prague several weeks ago.

“EU’s eastward expansion is mutually beneficial. Of course, the candidate countries should meet the criteria. We will support them as much as we can and we should fit the EU to this big enlargement,” he said.

Olaf Scholz went on to say that the EU would be able to accept new members, if it upheld deepening the European impetus that would create the bases for the wider EU.

“Today, when Russia tries to alter the borders between freedom and autocracy with force, we are the people of Europe and our voice must be heard throughout Europe, from the Mediterranean to the North Sea, from Lisbon to Tbilisi and beyond. We should lay a foundation to free, secure and democratic Europe together. Thus we will be able to protect European values, both within and beyond. Europe is our future and we should build this future boldly,” he said.

The Georgian delegation, led by the ruling Georgian Dream party Chair, Irakli Kobakhidze, is participating in the PES congress in Berlin, Germany.