We want to see Georgia in the European Union, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in her remarks to the press following the meeting with her Georgian counterpart on Friday.

Georgia, as the Minister emphasized, has friends in Brussels and Berlin on whom it can count.

“The place of Georgian people is in the EU. Therefore, I came to Georgia with a specific message: We want to see Georgia in the European Union. We will support you on this path. Georgia has friends in Brussels and Berlin whom it can count on,” Annalena Baerbock said.

She reiterated Germany’s support on this path and emphasized the importance of reforms to obtain candidate status, noting that the road to the EU “cannot be shortened, especially in terms of values”.

Georgia, according to the Minister, has made great progress in implementing the EC’s 12 priorities.

“We are very happy to see significant progress, in terms of fulfilling the 12 priorities. Collaboration is vital. The process of accession requires the rule of law and respect for democratic standards. An integral part of the implementation of democracy is the ability to listen, even when viewpoints differ dramatically, including in society. Therefore, after withdrawing the Foreign Agents bill, now the task is to overcome polarization, restore trust and implement reforms,” the Minister noted.

German FM emphasized the importance of a strong civil society and urged everyone to work together to achieve the goal of joining the EU.

“The Georgian government can’t become a member of the EU without civil society, and Georgian civil society can’t become a member of the EU without the Georgian government,” she noted .

“There is no more time to waste. This is a moment in history when we should not retreat,” the Minister added.