Garibashvili met with Charles Michel in Brussels
On a two-day visit to Brussels, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met on 17 May with European Council President Charles Michel and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
According to the Georgian PM's press service, PM Garibashvili and President Michel addressed the future stages in Georgia's EU membership ambition, as well as the country's past reforms and the execution of the Association Agreement. The two officials discussed the regional security situation considering Russia's actions against Ukraine, as well as the situation in the occupied Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
President Michel said in a tweet following the meeting that "the EU is dedicated to continue strengthening our collaboration with Georgia," but that "reforms on the democracy process and the rule of law are needed more than before."
PM Garibashvili and EP President Metsola also discussed Georgia's chances of receiving EU membership candidate status on 17 May, according to the Georgian PM's press service. The Georgian PM stressed the importance of the European Parliament's support for Georgia's EU integration during the meeting, as the country awaits a decision on whether to become a membership candidate.
"Reforms in the judiciary, rule of law, media freedom, LGBTIQ+ and human rights remain vital for the country's European route," the European parliament speaker said in a tweet following the meeting.
President Metsola further stated, "Georgia belongs to the European family."
The Georgian Prime Minister will also meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during his visit to Brussels.