“Of course, Slovakia is ready to support Georgia on its European way. We are supporting Georgia in order to enable this country to meet the criteria,” said Peter Misik, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia, ahead of the informal meeting of European Affairs Ministers in Stockholm, Sweden.

“We have two topics for discussion. The first topic is related to the enlargement. We are going to discuss the impact and consequences of the big enlargement on the institution’s budget and policies of the European Union. Of course, with this big enlargement, we can expect a huge impact when it comes to the aspects I’ve just mentioned. This will be a big challenge for the European Union, but it’s us to deal with this challenge. This enlargement is not only a challenge, but it is a chance and a big opportunity for us, especially in these difficult geopolitical times. The enlargement could make us stronger and geopolitically more relevant. And the second issue we are going to discuss is related to the oral assessment of Ukraine and Moldova, which are the candidate countries for entry into the European Union, and Georgia which would like to be a candidate country.

From our point of view, once the necessary criteria are met, we should open the accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, and if Georgia meets the criteria, Georgia should become the candidate country for entry into the European Union. We should help these countries to finally get rid of the Soviet heritage forever. Of course, the reforms are going in the right direction. Ukraine is waging war and we admire Ukraine that, despite this war, they are able to fulfil the criteria, which are tough. So, two of seven are fulfilled, and I expect that by autumn, they will do the rest of the job. If you look at the performance of Ukrainians, you can have a reason for being optimistic.

Our country is, of course, ready to support Georgia on its European way. We are supporting Georgia in order to enable this country to meet the criteria. As I understand, three of 12 are fulfilled, so there is a job to be done, but once the criteria are met, you can rely on our support, you can count on us, and we see the future of Georgia in the European Union. Of course, the door is open. It is us to be prepared for that, and, of course, the countries that would like to enter the European Union to fulfil the necessary criteria. But once the criteria are met, we should enable the countries to enter, because this is also about the future of the European Union as such, and this is about credibility,” he said.