Carl Hartzell, the EU Ambassador to Georgia declares that the European Commission’s opinion on granting Georgia the European Union membership candidate status is expected to be delivered next week.
“No matter what the outcome will be, whether it is below expectations, or more than hoped for, with or without conditions, there is one principle conclusion that will remain the same – it is time for Georgia to get down to work on this issue, it is time to sit up and make sure to deliver seriously and sustainably what is needed to make Georgia’s EU membership bid credible, ”- Carl Hartzell said.
According to him, the process of joining the EU will never be short-term and each new member state will be required to adhere to the fundamental principles, including democracy, the rule of law, human rights or equality.
According to Hartzel, Georgia has made great progress in terms of reforms over the years, but it had a chance to be better prepared for this historic moment.
"Georgia has clearly made great progress on the path of reforms over the years, at the same time, the country could have been better prepared for this historic moment, as it coincides with a time when the EU is expressing growing concern about the country's trajectory”, - Hartzel said.
In addition, he noted that the slow pace of reforms had created a political crisis in the country in which all parties had their share of responsibility.
