The rate of progress on the path of the European Union depends on the implementation of key reforms, - reads a letter from European Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi.

European Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, sent a letter to the civil society organizations that had earlier addressed him regarding the granting of a European perspective to Georgia.

The letter mentions that the Commission is closely monitoring the steps taken by Georgia in the direction of implementation of 12 priorities.

"Dear representatives of civil society organizations of Georgia,

Thank you for your letter of March 24, 2023 regarding Georgia's implementation of the 12 priorities defined in the opinion of the European Commission of June 17, 2023.

Let me first emphasize our commitment to support Georgia on its European path. Civil society plays an important role in this effort and also has an essential role to play in protecting the democratic state. We are grateful to the civil society of Georgia for its involvement in the process of monitoring the implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement, as well as for its contribution to policy formation.

As mentioned in your letter, on June 23-24, 2022, the European Council granted Georgia a European perspective. After this decision, the Commission has been closely monitoring the steps taken by Georgia in the direction of implementation of the 12 priorities and has been contributing to solving the main issues of Georgia as quickly and efficiently as possible.

At the same time, as with all enlargement countries, the pace of progress on the EU path depends on the implementation of key reforms. In the spring of 2023, the Commission will orally present updated information to the Council on the fulfillment of the 12 priorities by Georgia. The timing and modalities of this update are still under discussion. A formal report on the implementation of the priorities will be part of the Commission's annual enlargement package in the autumn," reads the European Commissioner's letter.

In March of this year, part of the civil society applied to the European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement and requested that the interim assessment of the European Commission be public and accessible to the stakeholders, including the country's civil society.

*The quotes in the article have been double-translated from Georgian and wordings may be inaccurate.

source: IPN