We understand that the sacrifices made 14 and 30 years ago, have lost their relevance for our European partners. Such a statement made today the Chairman of the Georgian Dream.

“As European leaders have directly pointed out to us in advance, geographical location has also prevented Georgia from gaining candidate status. We want to remind the public that due to the geographical factor, Georgia received the European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan 2 years later compared to Ukraine and Moldova.

Also, Georgia started visa liberalization negotiations 4 years later compared to Ukraine and 2 years later compared to Moldova. Georgia received visa liberalization action plan 3 years later compared to Ukraine and 2 years later compared Moldova, but got visa-free travel earlier compared to Ukraine. Similarly, Georgia started negotiations on an Association Agreement 3 years later compared to Ukraine, however, it signed an Association Agreement 1 year earlier than Ukraine. We hope that the geographical factor will not become a reason for delaying the granting of candidate or member status to Georgia in the future.

Although candidate status does not give the country any financial or other material privilege, not receiving this status at this stage is, to some extent, still, of course, disappointing.

However, we understand that Georgia, unlike Ukraine, and even Moldova, has not made the necessary sacrifices to obtain this status today. We understand that the sacrifices made 14 and 30 years ago, the bloodshed and the 300 000 IDPs today, unfortunately, have lost their relevance for our European partners“, - said Irakli Kobakhidze.