“I am addressing our European partners from this floor at this difficult time and urge them not to abandon Georgia despite this anti-European impeachment procedure. Russia should not be allowed to strengthen its influence in the region, with mild force, indirect occupation and destabilizing the Black Sea region, while it is being defeated in Ukraine and searches for ways of rescue,” said Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili in the parliament during the impeachment procedure speech.

According to the President, Georgia should receive the EU candidate status.

“I appeal to our partners as the President of this country since I represent these people and their historical choice. I have full legitimacy and authority, together with them and on behalf of them, to request granting candidate status for this country. I believe that when making a decision, our partners will take into account, on the one hand, the Georgian people’s confirmed aspirations, and on the other hand, Georgia’s and Europe’s common geopolitical challenges,” she said.

The Georgian Parliament is discussing President Salome Zourabichvili’s impeachment.

The Constitutional Court on October 16 ruled President’s violation of the Constitution. After this, the process moved to the legislature. The parliament needs the support of 100 MPs to impeach the president.