From the experience of the Western Balkan countries, it can be said that the countries that approach these reforms in this way will achieve success faster than those that make cosmetic changes. Such a statement the EU Ambassador to Georgia made at the parliamentary conference of Georgia and the Western Balkan countries on European integration issues.

“As for Georgia’s 12 priorities of last year and the current 9 steps, the role of the Parliament is decisive. I call on all political leaders in Georgia to look at these reforms very seriously. From the experience of the Western Balkan countries, it can be said that countries that approach these reforms in this way succeed more quickly than those that make cosmetic changes. Don’t make mistakes. These reforms should be transformative. It cannot be forgotten that more than working on nine steps is needed.

The report on Georgia published by the European Union in November establishes clear steps to bring it into compliance with the normative-legal framework [acquis] of the EU. These recommendations of the EU require joint work by the parliament, Government, opposition, and civil society. If Georgia wants to know what to do in the coming months and years, most of the answers are in this report.

Many areas require time and money. From this point of view, the sooner you start, the easier it will be, and once you succeed and start applying EU standards, you will be able to attract investments, including from the private sector. Investors appreciate the stability brought by the application of EU rules and integration into the single market.

If I have to name one political factor that accelerates Georgia’s path to joining the EU and is clearly based on the experience of the Western Balkan countries, it would be the development of a national consensus on joining the EU. All political forces must put aside their political differences to work together to implement these reforms. Experience shows us that the lack of political consensus hinders the accession process”, - said Pawel Herczynski.