“Germany was and is a supporter of Georgia’s European Perspective. That’s why, in the many discussions before the decision last year, we strongly advocated for candidate status to be achieved. This has been achieved,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the joint press conference with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

According to the German Chancellor, Germany will continue to be an active partner of Georgia for the country to reach more progress on the EU integration path and in fulfilling the EU membership criteria.

“This has been achieved, of course not to rest on our laurels, but now the entire list must be worked through that is specified for the start of concrete accession negotiations. Of course, this applies even more to the entire legal regime associated with Europe. Because there are economic questions, the legal rules correspond to the European internal market and its concepts. There is the Common Foreign and Security Policy. Integration must take place there too. It must follow the standards that Europe has. Of course, this also includes the entire topic of institutional reforms, the rule of law and everything that goes with democracy. We would like to be an active partner in achieving as much progress as possible in the development towards Europe and the implementation of the associated requirements as quickly as possible,” he said.

Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze is on an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany. Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz received Irakli Kobakhidze, together with the government delegation, at the official welcoming ceremony at the Federal Chancellery of Germany.