The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, invites the public to Freedom Square today, December 15, to celebrate the historical fact of Georgia’s being granted EU candidate status.
Garibashvili announced this at a briefing held in the Government Administration.
“I would like to invite all of you on December 15, at 17:00, at the Freedom Square to celebrate together this historic victory of our country and our people. This day should be a day of common, national celebration and common victory,” Garibashvili said.
The Prime Minister thanked all the people who “laid each brick in the cause of this historic victory and brought this victory to the people”.
He also thanked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi and the leaders of all 27 EU member states for granting Georgia EU status.
“With great pride and joy, I congratulate you on the historic decision. Georgia has become a candidate country for EU membership. I want to congratulate every citizen on today’s historic day. This is truly a victory that our government obtained for our country and our people. We fought, we won. I want to express my sincere gratitude to our European friends,” said the Prime Minister.
He also congratulated every member of Georgian Dream and the founder of the party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, on getting the status.
“I want to congratulate everyone. I want to congratulate on this day Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of our party, whose rule brought today and this victory, this success. Since 2012, our political team has reached its maximum and today can be said to be a kind of crowning of our success.
“Georgia is a European country from today. This victory belongs to you, dear citizens, it is the result of our work, our fight,” said Garibashvili.
The European Council decided to grant candidate status to Georgia.
In addition, the European Council made a decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.