Georgia is facing geopolitical challenges. It is our duty and obligation to overcome this stage with patience and reason, to be prudent, to maintain peace in our country and to allow our country to develop, - said Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili in his welcoming speech to the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie.
According to him, he hopes that Georgia will receive the EU candidate status.
"The Parliamentary Assembly consists of people, women and men, who are united by the values of freedom and solidarity. You are the people who carry these values, and these values are especially important to us, especially in the times the world is in now. Georgia, on its part, is facing geopolitical challenges. It is our duty and obligation to overcome this stage with patience and reason, to be prudent, to maintain peace in our country and to allow our country to develop. Also, the demands of our population were answered. From the very first year of regaining independence, Georgia has set its goal of European integration in European institutions, we follow this path with great strength, enthusiasm and great desire. At this stage, we are waiting for the decision of the European Commission to grant Georgia the status of a candidate for joining the European Union. We are trying and doing everything to fulfill the recommendations given to us by the European Commission and we hope that we will get this status, Georgia will join the European family. Georgia has implemented a lot of reforms, Georgia is fighting against corruption, we are doing everything to reduce the bureaucracy as much as possible, we are promoting business development, fiscal policy is becoming attractive. Georgia is a really good partner for these assemblies. I want to tell you that together we will take part in strengthening world security. I want to confirm to you how great an honor it is for me and how great a pleasure it is to participate in this historical assembly," said Garibashvili.
The 48th session of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie was officially opened today. It should be noted that Georgia is hosting the Francophonie Assembly for the first time. Since 2004, Georgia has been directly involved in the activities of the Assembly as an observer. In 2021, the Parliament of Georgia officially appealed to the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie regarding associate membership. It is at the very 48th session that a decision will be made regarding Georgia's associate membership.
The Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie is a consultative, parliamentary body of the International Organization of Francophonie. At present, it has 91 members. 56 members, 17 with associate status, and 18 with observer status. The Assembly, working in the direction of the development of democracy and the protection of human rights, is an active platform for the exchange of information and dialogue between the member states and is focused on the promotion of the French language in the world.
