The head of the ruling party Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, said that Georgian authorities are close to implementing all the recommendations from the European Commission that are needed for Georgia to be granted EU candidate status. Georgian Channel One reported these remarks. He stated that the 12 points will be fulfilled by the end of June.
He added that the expectations regarding obtaining EU candidate status are optimistic, though he noted that it remains a political decision with the chances still balanced at about fifty percent. By June, he predicted that all reforms aligned with the 12th recommendation would be completed.
According to Kobakhidze, if the European Commission issues a positive assessment this time, the EU should decide in December to grant Georgia candidate status. He also urged the radical opposition to halt its disruptive actions in light of these discussions.
Earlier reports indicated that Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili, linked the prospect of EU candidate status to a climate of peace and stability in the country.