Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – President of the European Council, Charles Michel stated “As a candidate country, Georgia needs to deepen its reforms in line with our common democratic values.”
Following the gathering with Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili “at a crucial moment for Georgia,” Charles Michel said “Reforms, the rule of law, and democratic principles are at the core of the EU path. A decision on Georgia’s future can only be made in Georgia by the Georgian people.”
Zurabishvili in turn stated that during the meeting she “extended gratitude on behalf of our nation to Georgia’s friend Charles Michel, who has steadfastly defended our European path.” According to the President, the EU’s support is “vital” for Georgia “at this pivotal moment,” determining that “moral backing and election observers will designate the Georgian people as we reaffirm our dedication to the European future.”
How is President Zurabishvili advocating for EU backing?
President Zurabishvili is visiting European Capital to talk with EU leaders, including European Council President Charles Michel and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The President journeyed to the Belgian capital as part of her broader European expedition, during which she visited Germany, France, and Poland, holding several high-level conferences and participating in the Warsaw Security Forum, among others. Coming less than a month before the critical October 26 elections, discussions in Brussels concentrated on Georgia’s European integration, democratic reforms, upcoming vote, and the EU’s backing in this context.
Zurabishvili has frequently traveled to European capitals to rescue her country’s EU chances amid deteriorating connections between Tbilisi and Brussels as a result of the Georgian government’s anti-democratic turn and anti-Western rhetoric. The visits even commanded Zurabishvili a constitutional court fight with the government, which claimed that her travels were not sanctioned by the authorities.
