The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, issues a statement on Georgia obtaining the candidate status for the European Union.

The Patriarch congratulates Georgia on the "special day" and notes that the current government's great efforts, the determination of the people and the work of many people have been invested in obtaining the candidate status, besides, all the authorities of Georgia have contributed to the development of this road since the restoration of independence.

"Today is a special day, because receiving the status of a candidate for EU membership opens up new opportunities for political stability within the country and raising the status in international relations; Also, cultural, scientific, technical and economic progress.

We hope that this connection will be mutually enriching and will help to strengthen the Christian traditions and spiritual values of our country.

The great efforts of our current government, the determination of our people and the hard work of many people have been invested in obtaining candidate status; Since the restoration of independence, all the authorities of Georgia have contributed to the paving of this road.

I congratulate and bless you.

With the blessings of the Mother of Jesus, may God bring unity, peace, and a successful future for Georgia," reads the statement of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, Ilia II.