The Government of Georgia has officially submitted the first part of its EU questionnaire as part of its formal application for membership within the European bloc.
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili personally handed over the completed first section of the questionnaire to EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell and lauded its historic importance. “I am proud to have handed over the European Commission questionnaire to the EU Ambassador to Georgia, Carl Hartzel,” The Prime Minister said, and added, “We have stepped into the paramount stage of our country’s EU integration path. I am sure of Georgia’s success in pursuit of the ultimate goal of the Georgian people.”
President Salome Zourabichvili also hailed the achievement by saying that her country would “join the European family,” during a trip to Berlin to meet with her German counterpart.
Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili said that by delivering the first completed part of the country’s European Union membership questionnaire, Georgia had commenced a “new chapter” on its path of European integration. “Georgia commences a new chapter on the path of the European integration, leading to the final goal – membership of the European Union,” Darchiashvili said.
The EU has set May 13 as the deadline for submitting the second part of the questionnaire. The European Commission will then prepare an evaluation report on granting candidate status to Georgia, with Ambassador Hartzell stating that he expects the European Commission to present its opinion by next month.