Georgia applied for EU membership last year but has not yet obtained candidate status, with the necessary political and judicial reforms still pending. Now, Salome ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, visits the European Parliament and gives her address to the MEPs gathered in a formal sitting during the plenary session in Brussels. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Brussels

statement

plenary session

EU - Georgia (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

formal sitting

ZOURABICHVILI, Salome (GE)

Formal sitting: address by Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Dear colleagues, we have with us today the President of Georgia Salom&eacute; Zourabichvili. Dear Salom&eacute;, welcome to the European Parliament. And let me start, Dear President, by thanking you for your personal commitment in supporting the European calling of Georgian society. We want the right conditions to exist to enable an EU future for Georgian citizens. I want to reiterate that we stand by your side, ready to support you in your journey to become an integral part of the European Union.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, We need to work more and closer together towards granting EU candidate status to Georgia, ensuring that the Georgian people do not miss a historic opportunity. For this, we need to see tangible movement on a number of milestones in securing democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and ensuring media freedom and protecting journalists, and safeguarding fundamental rights and personal dignity for detainees. And here, let me reiterate that this House has expressed its concern over the situation of Mikhail Saakashvili.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, The European Union stands ready to assist Georgia on its European path, providing all the necessary assistance along this transformative journey. But it is up to Georgia to walk that path and to choose its own future. Madam President, I commend the strength with which you lead your country and we further count on you to help ease the political and societal polarisation in Georgia. Let us keep working together to safeguard the rights of our European peoples and the future of our societies. The floor is yours.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Madam President. Dear Roberta, distinguished Members of the European Parliament. I would like to thank the Presidency and each and every political group for the opportunity given to me to address this Assembly. Doing so at such an important juncture for the future of my country. It is both an honour and a great responsibility. Madam President.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Madam President, it's been 13 years since a Georgian president stood up this days, and it is symbolic that I come with the same aspiration as that, that all Georgians share the beyond the cut and thrust of politics and divergences, that is, that Georgia wants to reunite with its European family. It is one of these historic moments where choices have to be made that determines the future and where the past reaches its combination.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, We are experienced such a moment in history in the history of Georgia, where its government, its people and the 27 member states that you represent will have to decide together on the Georgia of tomorrow. But the Georgian nation has already decided, and I stand before you and pass on this message. Our European choice is not only legitimate, but there is no alternative because it is based on our values, our history, our struggles, our determination, our vision for the future.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, So I am addressing this distinguished assembly. I had the was a mere sarcophagus carcase as nation to rejoin its European family. I am also here as the head of state of a country. The constitu version of which mandates every state institution to take all possible steps to further the objective of U. Atlantic integration. I will do so relentlessly. I will do it not only to implement the Constitution, but out of a moral conviction.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Born in France to immigrant parents who had to leave Georgia following the 1921 Russian invasion and occupation. I returned to serve my country and achieve the ideal of so many generations of Georgians seeing the free Georgia in a free Europe, the only guarantee of independent Georgia and the only path to a better future for every citizen. In my first official capacity as foreign minister of Mr. Saakashvili.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, I am proud to have negotiated both Georgia's entry into Europe's neighbourhood and Russia's withdrawal of its military bases. I remember seeing Russian ships depart from the port city of Batumi. But three years later, Russian tanks rolled again in our territory. As a member of Parliament, I failed to pass a law allowing double citizenship for all those that are today. Nationals of a European country and Georgian citizens formed the very first concrete link between Georgia and Europe.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, As President, at this decisive time of our journey towards Europe, I want to see Georgia get past domestic and international challenges and firmly embark on the path to full fledged European integration. And for that, there is only one road to secure Georgia be granted by Europe and the status of candidate to the European Union. And I am confident.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Madam President, Georgia shared the its tragic history for two and a half centuries through Tsarist imperialism and Russification, soviet totalitarianism and repressions and again, Russian aggressions and occupations with one country, Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, I therefore cannot stand before you without first reiterating the complete, unequivocal and principled solidarity of the people of Georgia with the people of Ukraine. We know too well that Ukraine is not only defending its territory, but is shedding blood for us all. For Europe, its security and freedom. For Georgia, its security and European future.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, I would like to reiterate here my personal respect, admiration and support to President Zelensky and his people. I am convinced that in the near future, both our countries will see their representatives sitting side by side in this very chamber.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Madam President, my plea for Georgia's European future starts with Georgia's European past based on shared history, cultural roots, and most importantly, shared values. Since Georgia began to exist, it has shared the three pillars considered to be the foundation of Europe's civilisation Greek and Roman heritage and Christianity. Antique Graeco-roman civilisation that has left its influence and visible marks in our mythology, archaeology and culture.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Christianity has, for its part, been central to our identity as a nation, as the first kingdom to be converted to Christianity. Georgia has been fighting for centuries to preserve its face and identity against numerous empires and invaders all along on the eastern shores of the Black Sea, it has served as a small Christian outpost facing the empires of Asia.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, This common heritage has influenced our core values. These are the same ones that gave birth to the European idea and have inspired Europe's founding fathers. Maybe it's not a coincidence that the very first federalist, the Constitution of Europe, was written by a Georgian, professor Michelle Mousley from the University of Strasbourg.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Tolerance, protection of minorities and human rights have been out for long. It is a miracle that Georgian tolerance has survived in the Caucasus. This mountain of languages, as the Arabs used to call it, and build a state where religions have found protection through the ages. Tbilisi's architecture is a testimony to this history. Mosques, synagogues, churches of various denominations, even Zoroastrian sites co-exist side by side.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, This longstanding tradition of peaceful coexistence between religions and cultures is best symbolised by more than 26 centuries of Georgians and Jews living together and side by side free of any form of repression or discrimination. Today, 20% of our population is of Armenian Azeri descent, Kurdish or Yezidi heritage, maintaining the old tradition of hospitality that has reached well beyond our borders.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, While political polarisation has affected the image of Georgian tolerance, recent events have underscored that it remains very much alive. Georgia as received and is hosting for a year and a half, more than 80,000 Russians. Let us reflect for a moment what it means to welcome citizens from the country which is occupying 20% of your territory and wages the most brutal aggression against your friend Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, That this has happened without any serious incident speaks millions of Georgians tolerance. We can and should be proud, but it should be accompanied by clear and strict state regulations so that tolerance does not give way to frustrations and escalation. Gender Equality. This very modern notion stands at the core of the national ethos. When in the 12th century, already said to local Commissar Soria Zoological Standards had the Lions clubs are equal with a female or male.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, This again appears in the role that women have played throughout our history in the fourth century. St Nino converting the Georgian State Queen, or, as she was called, Kingdom, are reigning over Georgia's Golden Age, or in 1918, the first Democratic Republic of Georgia, giving women both the right to vote and be elected.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, The predictability of laws, the rule of law, which stands at the core of any liberal judicial system, has been espoused by for ages and the King finally gathered in one compendium the principles, obligations and laws guiding the Georgian monarchy from the Old Testament to Greek and Roman laws, traditional Georgian justice, medieval The Georgian laws, the church laws and his own justice code.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Unity, which is a country of polarisation, our coat of arms carries the words "Force lies in unity" echoed by the Georgian poet Rajab Shavela. It is when we fight each other that the enemy wins. National unity has allowed the country to survive and is today challenged by the cancer of polarisation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Georgia is no exception in this regard, but polarisation in a small country is far more destructive and more destabilising for a country confronted to occupation, outside threats and disruptive campaigns of propaganda, fake news and hate speech. Polarisation serves only the enemy and is something that we should comprehend better.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, The least feature of Georgian core values echoes, in fact, directly the 12 recommendations put forward to achieve the candidate status. My point here is certainly not to say that historical records are sufficient to address current concerns, and there are many, but to underline that what the EU is asking is nothing but an integral part of our culture, our values and our heritage: EU recommendations are not some foreign ideas imposed to us, as was Soviet ideology.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, These are, in essence, Georgian. Therefore, what you are asking from us is that Georgia remains true to its identity. What you are recommending is that Georgia eliminates the remnants of the totalitarian past and reunite with itself and its European roots. Since its independence, Georgia has never wavered on its path to European integration.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Georgia paid a heavy price to defend its freedom and its independent, democratic and European future in 1921, in 1989, in 1992 and 2008, without comparing to the incalculable plight that Ukraine is paying today, it should not be forgotten that Georgia as had and paid its own blood price, resisting Soviet rule, defending its independence and its right to rejoin the democratic and free world and the alliances it chooses.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Georgian governments, since independence, have set forth pro-European platforms and all delivered constant progress on this path. President ... Has put Georgia back on Europe's map of free nations. President Shevardnadze first initiated the idea of Euro-Atlantic integration. President Saakashvili made Georgia's integration with the EU NATO the priority for his reform agenda. Under his leadership, Georgia joined the Neighbourhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, In 2012, the Georgian Dream Government was elected on the pro-European agenda and reached some milestones in this regards the Association, the Free Trade Agreement and visa liberalisation were all signed at the time. The Constitution was amended in 2016 to include the objective of Euro-Atlantic integration, and that is something that none of us should forget.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Despite challenges and foreign aggressions, Georgia's population has not hesitated to waver the faltered. It has stood its ground. The people have been the backbone of the pro-European course, supporting and even sometimes preceding or forcing their governments when embracing the paths towards European integration.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), Opinion polls have shown constant support for European integration. I think it's fair to say that there are many countries within Europe that would envy such levels of euro-enthusiasm. Beyond electing pro-European governments, it is impossible to point to any party that has caused any dissent result while not claiming to be fully supportive of European integration.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), That is a lesson for Georgian politics today. Anti-European campaigns only lead to political marginalisation. Despite Russian wars, occupation or active measures, Georgians never faltered. Fear does not alter the European course.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), For European integration is not a mere foreign policy orientation, but it is an existential one, a part of our DNA. Georgians choose also Europe with their feet. Hundreds of thousands have emigrated to Europe. Georgia's youth has turned to learning English, German or French to studying in Paris or Berlin.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), My country is used visceral pro-European stand. It is a testimony to the strengths of European soft power in one generation. Russian, for them, has become definitely the anachronistic past. And Europe, without question, the only future.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), Most importantly, Georgians have been vigilant not to let any government deviate from the past. Every massive demonstration has been in support of freedom, democracy and the European pass.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), Over the last few years, Georgians have taken to the streets to defend this ideal when it seemed to falter; in June 2019, after a member of the Russian Duma was allowed to sit in the Georgian parliament, violating our law and occupation and raising questions as to the pro-European orientation of those who invited him; in February 2022, to demonstrate its total and massive solidarity with Ukraine and our common European aspiration.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), In June 2022, before the European Council was to decide on the candidate status; in March 2023, when Georgians literally forced the government to back down on the so-called Russian law views as a threat to the civil society, the non-governmental sector, and hence to our democratic and European pass.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), As the President of Georgia, on my side and within my constitutional powers, I have been taking all steps and initiatives to further this objective, through attempts to achieve depolarisation by launching an initiative for national reconciliation together with civil society, by supporting united political platforms, by bolstering women's roles as facilitators for renewed political dialogue.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), It is undoubtedly a difficult process and I cannot be proud of any success yet. But, I will continue pushing through, moved by the conviction that we have no alternative but working all together through brokering political agreements. And I'm proud that alongside President Charles Michel, what became the April 19 agreement was signed in the presidential palace in presence of all political parties.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), But it is fair to say that if this agreement had been implemented, Georgia would have already been given candidate status. Through granting pardons, three times, to opposition figures in order to de-conflict political tensions and allow agreements to emerge.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), These decisions have come at a high political cost in a polarised political atmosphere. But I stand by everyone of these decisions, as timely expressions of Voltaire's words: "Je ne suis pas d'accord avec ce que vous dites, mais je me battrai jusqu'à la mort pour que vous ayez le droit de le dire".

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), But in view of some interventions I have received, I want also to be clear that while representing a small country, I think that the discretionary power of the President in that matter should be equally respected for small or big country. For pardoning, it is a right to be exerted by a president, free from any pressure, bit from outside or beat from within. And I want also to address some of the governmental circles that there is no need to try to threaten me because I will do what I will think necessary to do.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), Also, by using my constitutional veto against legislation, contradictory with European principles, and I know that even if my vetoes have and may be in the future rejected by the current majority, they will be supported and strengthened by hundreds of thousands of Georgians. Because they deal with the main principles to which we all adhere.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), Through, finally, high level diplomacy, I've time and again advocated for Georgia's European integration in almost all European capitals and as I'm doing today with you. I most vividly remember hosting the 2021 Petras Summit on the shores of the Black Sea with President Zelensky and President Maia Sandu, alongside President Charles Michelle, as a major step to accelerate our associated trio's paths towards European integration.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), We have lost time since then. We, Georgia. This is by no means the end of the road. Every decision will have its own time and its own place. I will leave no rock unturned when it comes to ensuring that Georgia stands where it belongs. Georgia's European path is, of course, largely the result of European sustained efforts and support.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), While Georgia has expressed its determination, it has been matched by what has been an extraordinary support by Europe over the years. And while we await a historic decision, I'm also here to express the thanks of the Georgian people to Europe.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), Because the European Union has helped to support increased prosperity. It is by far the largest international donor in Georgia, in all sectors of the Georgian economy, it is European and European markets that have provided Georgians with increased standards of living. In that sense, when I hear that we should thank Russia for now helping some development of our economy, I think it is not only immoral, but also and simply, flat wrong.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), The European Union has been a provider of stability. One should never forget that when Russian tanks rolled into Georgia, our partners prevented a tragic outcome from being even worse.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), In the name of France's presidency of the EU, Nicolas Sarkozy mediated with USA backing, an agreement that stopped Russians from going further into the Georgian territory. Europe's reaction may have been insufficient by not imposing greater costs on Russia, and we realise that today. But without Europe, policy itself could have been occupied.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), Since 2008, the European Union Monitoring Mission has also been a invaluable presence on the occupation line, acting as a check on Russia's destabilising activities. The European Union has provided us with constant high level diplomatic backing, especially in times of crisis, both foreign and domestic.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), Let me here pay tribute to our many Eastern European and Baltic friends for their constant and unwavering commitment. Let me also underline that visits by European Union Council, Commission and Parliament, High Representative, Parliamentary delegations, representatives of the Member States, are for our people. A daily demonstration of proximity and support that they need and for the government, a reminder to deliver timely on the requirements that will get us to the next historic step.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), The European Union has helped us move up the ladder of ever closer integration. One should never forget the journey that Georgia travelled in the past 20 years, moving from neighbourhood to association, something that most of us thought was impossible, and with the last hope of utmost importance granting us a European perspective.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), The EU has, once and for all, settled the question of geography versus identity. We might have to still grasp its full significance because the focus has been on what we did not get and was within our grasp. But we should understand that the European perspective, closer to an existential debate over geography, which for years had been used as the central argument against our membership.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), The EU decision has closed this debate once and for all, and sent to the Georgians two main messages. You are Europe and your past to Europe is in your hands. Why should Georgia be granted the candidate status? My speech today was intended to be more than a plea for the status of candidates. It was meant to explain our European identity.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), We call that all the Georgian people paid in the face of Russian aggressions and the importance of what the European Union and Georgia's people and governance have delivered in the past two decades. To explain that we are asking for a candidate status as a family member is asking for recognition, for protection and for support.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), Candidate status would indeed mean recognition, recognition of the relentless fight of the Georgian people for their European identity. While we are here, the first to understand our current shortcomings and maybe the word is weak. We do not want those to overshadow our achievements that for the past 30 years, and that is only one generation.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), We have made extraordinary progress through substantial reforms. We are not perfect. Far from it. For two years, for the two last years, my unrelenting message to the government has been to listen to the people, to its people, and stay true to its electoral commitments for more, no less Europe.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), Some of the 12 recommendations have been implemented. But here again, more should have been, more could, and more should still be done. That will be our common task in the months to come to make sure we do not let go a second chance. One that the people of Georgia will not forgive.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Recognition should be given also to the Georgian people's democratic credentials because a democracy rests first and foremost on its people, it rests on the strengths of the civil society. If there is anything that the last two years have shown, it is that Georgians will not give up.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Not give up on Ukraine and solidarity, not given on Europe and their future, not give up on their rights. That is why I am so forceful and optimistic. With such a democratic force, it's only a matter of time before changes come for the better. And that is a message that the retreat of the Russian law told everyone "Do not dare to dent the democratic will of this country".

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Candidate status would provide also protection and security for Georgia. Protection from Russia. Russia to this day, which continues to occupy and wage a hybrid war on the Georgian people. Russia which listens to each and every signal. That is why nobody can afford sending the wrong signal and leave Georgia as a grey zone.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, The lessons from 2008. 2014. 2022 is that hesitation comes with a price and a heavy one. As Russia is facing defeat in Ukraine we cannot afford to provide Russia with a temptation to look for weaker spots anywhere else.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Russia needs to understand that Georgia is Europe and that Europe is determined for Georgia to be Europe. What we have seen in the past months in Georgia is Russia trying to score points, to subtly re-establish its influence while weakening that of Europe's. Renewed flights, lifting visas and restricted population inflows, increased trade and ambivalent statements all designed to create domestic tensions, confusion, escalation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, This cannot be allowed to happen, neither for Georgia nor for Europe. As Europe helps Ukraine push back against brute force, it needs to have the Georgian people to resist to this more subtle push. That is what candidates statues stand for, a clear statement of determination, not of confrontation. Candidate status would cement Georgia's role as a pro-European force in the region.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Europe understand the importance of this region for the new world that is emerging. It knows that Georgia is not only a democratic and European stronghold, but a central element of a secure Black Sea and a stable Caucasus region. It is a key to new connectivity projects over the Black Sea and through the Caucasus with the Caspian Sea and Central Asia.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Candidate status would certainly safeguard democracy. The spirit of the European Council decision in 2022 was to create conditionalities in order to improve democracy in Georgia and correct its trajectory. This commendable objective should not be weaponised by populist forces that try to create an entire European trend.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, A narrative is being spread that Georgia has been denied candidacy because Europe doesn't share its traditional values, because it doesn't consider our tragic past, because it treats us differently from Ukraine or Moldova. We all know this is a flat lie and the Georgian people have shown where they stand. But one should not ignore the capacity of darker forces helped and fuelled from outside to try to undermine this solidity.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, In fact, granting us candidate status would serve the democratic future and help lay the ground for all these recommendations to be fully and thoroughly implemented. Europe has stood by Georgia despite its democratic shortcomings in the past. It is because Europe remained committed to Georgia that Georgians were successful in getting their democracy back on track.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Keeping Georgia on its European path is vital for us, of course, but no less important for Europe. Promoting Georgia's European membership in the European Union is part of a greater strategic vision regarding a new European order that will emerge from what I'm confident will be a Ukrainian victory. What Ukraine has achieved in 2022 is what we failed to achieve in 92 or 2008 and what Ukraine failed in 2014 or 15.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, That is to open the eyes of the world to the true nature of Russia. That the needs about Russian humiliation or Russian insecurity, are just that, needs to justify aggression and wars. The largest country in the world has still to understand and accept that it also has borders. Now we need to fully apprehend that it is accommodation and not determination that feeds Russian aggression.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Appeasement has never worked anywhere. It is not EU or NATO enlargement that ever threatened or insulted Russia to attack. It is Russia's own very own irresistible, imperialist nature. And if anything, it is a stop and goes, visitations before decisions that incite and dinamise Russia, trying through intimidation to affect the outcome.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, Signals of insufficient resolve. Subdued reactions to 2008, 2014, or to the little green men entering Lugansk and Donetsk regions is what encourages Russia to do more. In reverse. Former Soviet republics and members of the Warsaw Pact are here to show that they enjoy peace and stability since they have become members of NATO and the European Union. And that is our future too.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, That is why European candidate status is not only about essential democratic recommendations, but also about the future European security architecture. It is about long term stability. And I say this not as a bargaining plea that would be both immoral and wrong, but as a lesson of history. Leaving us behind would only encourage Russia to seek compensation for its own failure to win a war it started but cannot end.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, In Ukraine, Russia has already been politically defeated and militarily defeated in so many aspects. Destroyed is the myth of military invincibility. Lost is a sense of strategic superiority. Lost is the ability to divide Europeans and play on their divisions. Ukrainian resilience and strengths, Swedish and Finnish historical choices.

SOUNDBITE (English), Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, The European presence is finally emerging. All of that is a result of an immense miscalculation by the Russian leadership. Today's world is divided between those who do not dare imagine that Russia is no longer invincible and losing, and those that understand a new world is emerging. That is why only Ukraine can decide when to negotiate peace and together with Europe, determine what peace. One that will have to oblige Russia to renounce occupying any foreign land.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), That is why when I plea for the European future of Georgia, I plea also for the people in Abkhazia and Ossetians regions. Because this future is for them, too. The only one that will ensure their freedom, their protection and their identity. And I stand with those who demonstrated yesterday in Sukhumi Abkhazia and, under the banner.  Abkhazia is not for sale, we will not concede to the Russians. Thank you very much.