When looking at the outcome, there is no going around the fact that Georgia received a less favorable Opinion than Ukraine and Moldova and that is a message that needs to be taken seriously, stated EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell.

According to Hartzell, European Commission recommends that Georgia should be recognized as a country for which the door to future EU membership is now open.

As the Ambassador pointed out, Georgia will be granted candidate status after it addresses a number of priorities.

"What matters now, more than anything is Georgia’s readiness and ability to get to work to address this list of priorities, which will require the involvement of all political parties, as well as other stakeholders, local authorities, civil society, etc. When looking at the outcome, there is no going around the fact that Georgia received a less favorable Opinion than Ukraine and Moldova and that is a message that needs to be taken seriously," Hartzell said.