Any statement that Georgia is still on the path to the European Union is simply not true, said Meline Arakelian, the ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Georgia, in an exclusive interview with InterpressNews.
The diplomat notes that the European Commission's enlargement report, which was published on October 30, repeats the same position, where the European Commission noted that the process of Georgia's accession to the European Union has actually been suspended.
"The European Commission once again noted that the process of Georgia's accession to the European Union has actually been suspended. I don't know how we can say it more clearly. So, any statement that Georgia is still on the EU path is simply not true.
We remind you that nobody is forcing Georgia to become a member of the European Union. It was Georgia's decision to apply for membership, but by applying for membership, the country agrees to fulfill the membership criteria, and these criteria are not subject to negotiations. The most important criteria for EU membership are solid democratic institutions, rule of law, respect for human rights and protection of minorities," said the ambassador of the Netherlands.
Meline Arakelian also noted in the interview that Georgia should focus on fulfilling the so-called "Copenhagen criteria" and the country will not make progress on the road to European integration until it has real progress in building democratic institutions and the rule of law.
"It is the so-called 'Copenhagen criteria' that are crucial in this process. So while there is deterioration in this area, there can be no talk of overall progress, even if some steps are taken on more technical issues. We can compare it to a house that needs to be repaired. If the foundation of the house is shaky and you decide to paint only the walls of the house, it still won't be a solid house. I would like to add that since the moment of independence, my country has been helping Georgia in building democratic institutions and the rule of law. Therefore, as a friend of Georgia, it is very painful for us to see the development in the opposite direction in this field", said the diplomat.
