Georgians celebrate EU candidate status VIDEO

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of the Georgian capital Tbilisi on December 15, to celebrate the European Union's decision to put the country on a formal membership path. Waving Georgian and EU flags, cheering crowds flooded Tbilisi's central Freedom Square.

At a summit in Brussels on December 14, European Union leaders agreed to grant Georgia long-awaited official candidate status and to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. "I congratulate you on this historic event. Long live united, strong, European Georgia!" Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili told the crowd. An orchestra performed Georgia's national anthem and the EU's "Ode to Joy," Agenda.Ge reports. 

Highlighting the deep polarization that mars Georgia's political landscape, President Salome Zourabichvili – who is at loggerheads with the ruling Georgian Dream party – was not invited onto the podium. Instead, she stood in the crowd. "This is a great celebration," she told reporters. "We made a very important step towards [joining] the EU."

Kakha Kaladze, the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream and Mayor of the capital city of Tbilisi, on Friday said GD had “fulfilled” its “promise” on the matter, adding the country had “never stood so firmly” on the path of European integration.

Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiasvili posted a video on social media showing celebrations by employees of his Ministry while watching live the statement of the President of the European Council on granting the status to Georgia.

The flag of the EU was also symbolically displayed on the offices of the Ministry in connection with the occasion.

Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili also congratulated citizens on the “truly historic decision”, praising the role of “many generations” in this “huge achievement”.

Natia Turnava, the Acting Governor of the National Bank, said “we were all able to write history together”, and added the country was “deservedly awarded” the status.

The cash centre of the National Bank in Tbilisi was illuminated in the colours of the EU flag.

Rati Bregadze, the Minister of Justice of Georgia, said December 14 was a “glorious day” in the “European history” of Georgia and a celebration of “historical justice”.

He congratulated the country and “all supporters” as well as all those who had contributed to the outcome, while extending “special congratulations” and gratitude to Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.

Bregadze said the country had achieved “worthy and deserved achievements” during the latter’s term, ranging from the 2014 Association Agreement between the country and the bloc to the visa-free travel deal, the 2022 resolution on the European perspective of Georgia and now the candidate status. 

Otar Shamugia, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, said EU member states had “unanimously” recognised Georgia's “progress” with the decision.