On May 7 and 8, the State Secretary for Europe of the German Ministry for Economy and Climate Action visited the EU accession candidate country Georgia together with a business delegation. At the end of the talks, Sven Giegold took stock:
"Georgia and Germany are linked by a long-standing friendship. The decision on EU candidate status now opens up a historic opportunity for a new deepening of this friendship. Georgia has achieved a great deal on this path of rapprochement with the EU. The overwhelming majority of the population supports accession to the European Union. This opportunity for a future in Europe must now be seized with determination and not jeopardized.
The BMWK supports the deepening of economic relations with various successful programs. I was able to see for myself the continued interest of German companies in Georgia. We have now agreed a new administrative partnership with the Georgian competition authority. This will enable Georgia to ensure tough and fair competition even more effectively in the interests of consumers and new companies. Georgia has great potential in the production of renewable energies.
However, the decision to open accession negotiations with the EU is still pending and is subject to conditions. However, this accession process is in danger. The growing doubts about the independence of the central bank are a cause for serious concern. The state must also enforce international and European standards to combat money laundering. International sanctions must apply to politically exposed persons in particular. The legal favoring of money transfers from tax havens is not in line with European efforts to combat tax havens. The announced constitutional amendment to restrict the rights of LGBTIQ people does not inspire confidence, nor does the pressure on civil society and the weakening of women's rights. The intensive support of cultural, social and ecological organizations from EU member states is an expression of growing friendship and not a reportable flaw. The government's contradictory signals regarding European unification are already jeopardizing investments by companies from the EU."
