Irish Senate calls EU to grant Georgia candidate status 

The Senate of Ireland passed on June 14, a motion in support of Georgia, calling on the European Union (EU) to grant Georgia the status of an EU candidate country, Georgian Foreign Ministry reports.

The resolution supports EU enlargement policy for those countries that are guided by European norms and values, fulfil their commitments with the EU and deploy considerable efforts to advance their European integration. It recognises progress demonstrated by Georgia as well as acknowledging high-level of approximation with European Union, strongly recommends keeping the political momentum and granting Georgia with EU membership Candidate Status this June at the European Council meeting.

It underlines that it is critical the decisions taken on Trio countries are synchronized and the Associated Trio is not split by reacting differently on granting the candidate status with full realization of the geopolitical context, while at the same time preserving a merit-based approach in the course of the accession process. Otherwise leaving any of the country behind in this process will bear a devastating effect on the society’s pro-European feelings, while giving a “green light” to Russia for unpredictable destructing actions;

The resolution acknowledges that the Candidate countries’ status will move Georgia closer to the EU membership and will incentivise them stronger to continue implementation of reforms aiming to strengthen and consolidate democracy of the Partners;

It recognises accomplishments on the path of European integration and encourages Georgia to maintain tangible progress in the implementation of necessary reforms for further political and economic integration with the EU. It continues that over the last decades the people of Georgia have persistently displayed an overwhelming support to European integration, which have also been reflected in the continuously pro-European policies of successive respectful governments;

The resolution commends the people and Government of Georgia for their successful reforms in recent years towards consolidating democracy, ensuring human rights protection, rule of law, media freedom and good governance as well as strengthening government transparency and judicial independence; while recommends the Irish Government to support Georgia for granting Candidate countries’ status of the European Union that will move Georgia closer to the EU membership that will incentivise them stronger to continue implementation of reforms aiming to strengthen and consolidate democracy.