PM: I believe that we will be taking the journey of EU integration together with our Abkhazian and Ossetian compatriots and will build a united, strong European state together with them

I believe that we will be taking the journey of EU integration together with our Abkhazian and Ossetian compatriots and will build a united, strong European state together with them, Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili stated about it while signing the application for the status of EU candidate country.

According to PM, Georgian people taking great pride in their ancient culture and history dating back thousands of years, have always been oriented towards Europe and remained loyal to its values.

"Unwavering quest towards building the European democracy and accession to the EU is a step made towards unification of Georgia. I believe that we will be taking the journey of EU integration together with our Abkhazian and Ossetian compatriots and will build a united, strong European state together with them.

Sometimes, questions are posed in Europe on Georgia being a country of European culture or not, however the answer to this question is crystal clear to all in Georgia. Georgia is truly one of the oldest countries in the world.

According to the definition of a French enlightener Paul Valéry on a country of European identity, whereby he listed three main criteria: influence of Greek-Roman culture, Christian beliefs and democratic tradition. According to these criteria, Georgia is indeed a deserving member of the European space, European family.

Georgian people taking great pride in their ancient culture and history dating back thousands of years, have always been oriented towards Europe and remained loyal to its values. At the dawn of the 20^th century, Georgian people created a most democratic, European state based on European values, while its essence and Constitution was compatible with current criteria of Europe with high precision.

National independence and statehood regained in 1991 was based on the same Constitution of Georgia, European values and became predominantly oriented towards Europe," stated Gharibashvili.