The European Union application is a serious commitment and candidate status is not something that countries are entitled to. It needs to be earned, Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, said at the press conference in Tbilisi.
According to him, the European Union application is a serious commitment [and] that candidate status is not something that countries are entitled to.
“First, I want to stress that Georgia is an important partner for the European Union.
This is a crucial time for your future because in a few weeks, the European Union will consider next steps in Georgia’s accession [path] to the European Union and, for the first time, the report on Georgia’s progress as an enlargement country.
I want to be very clear in that important moment: the European Union’s door is open to Georgia and the European Union is committed to supporting Georgia on its path towards European Union membership. The door is open and we want to support you on the way.
But I have to say also that the European Union application is a serious commitment [and] that candidate status is not something that countries are entitled to. It needs to be earned. It needs to be earned through serious reforms and adherence to the European Union’s values.
And to be frank, there is still quite a bit of work to be done”, said Josep Borrell.
