Participants of the rally in Tbilisi for Georgia’s integration with the European Union (EU) demanded the resignation of the prime minister of the republic, Irakli Garibashvili. This was reported by TASS with reference to Shota Digmelashvili, one of the organizers of the rally.
The demonstrators announced the need to create a government of national accord, which will strive to meet the requirements of the European Union so that the country can receive the status of a candidate member of the community.
Мітингувальники у Тбілісі вимагали відставки прем’єр-міністра через Євросоюз
“The resignation of Irakli Garibashvili and the creation of a government of national accord to fulfill the 12 conditions put forward by the European Union. We give the authorities time. The authorities have a week to dismiss the government,” he said.
He also added that if the prime minister does not resign, they will meet again on July 3 near the parliament building. According to him, there will be many more of them, and they will not disperse until Garibashvili leaves his post.
Earlier, the head of the European Council, Charles Michel, said that at the summit held on June 23 in Brussels, the heads of European countries approved granting Ukraine and Moldova the status of candidates for joining the European Union. He also added that the EU is ready to grant the status of a candidate for joining the union to Georgia, but for this the country will have to fulfill a number of conditions.
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stressed that Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia have to do “homework” in order to move on to the next stage of integration into the European community. According to her, reforms are necessary, first of all, for the countries themselves, as “it is good for their development.”
Ukraine and Moldova called the decision historic
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the decision of European leaders and called this moment “unique and historic.” He also thanked the head of the European Council Charles Michel, the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and all the leaders of European countries.
Similarly, the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, reacted to the news. She also called the past day historic for the country. “Without a doubt, this is a strong signal of support for our citizens and the European future of Moldova,” Sandu wrote, adding that Moldova would be grateful for help in moving forward on the reform path.
Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister of Moldova Nikolai Popescu said that the decision of the EU countries opens a new page in the history of the country. According to him, from now on, the authorities have more work to do to reform Moldova, eradicate corruption, improve justice, and reform the economy according to European standards. Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament Igor Grosu thanked the European Union for the decision, adding that the country has a “long way to go”. “And we are more determined than ever to return home to the European Union,” he concluded.
Macron saw the EU decision as a signal for Russia
In turn, French President Emmanuel Macron noted that the recognition of the European perspective of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia “is a strong signal towards Russia in the current geopolitical context.” “Especially in view of the decision on the status of candidates for entry for Ukraine and Moldova,” he stressed.
At the same time, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer did not see the involvement of European countries in a military conflict with Russia in the decision of the European countries. In his opinion, some Austrian citizens may adhere to such a position. “I think that people need to ensure security in this matter,” he added.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that by deciding to grant candidate status, the EU takes responsibility for Ukraine. “Today, Ukraine sees that it can count on Poland as an effective ally, one that, after three months of difficult diplomatic efforts, has achieved its goal,” he said, adding that “today all of Europe is with Ukraine in its struggle for freedom.”
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said that the EU enlargement policy has changed and has received a new impetus. He also assured that Moldova would receive any necessary assistance from Romania. And the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Eduard Heger, called the EU decision “an extremely happy event.” In his opinion, the fact that Ukraine received candidate status just a few weeks after the first proposal speaks of a new dynamic in the activities of the European Union.