Hungarian Foreign Minister calls on EU to grant candidate status to Georgia
Hungary Calls for European Union to Grant Candidate Status to Georgia
The Foreign Minister of Hungary, Péter Szijjártó, expressed the urgent need for the European Union (EU) to grant candidate status to Georgia during his visit to Tbilisi on Thursday. Szijjártó emphasized that accelerating the enlargement process would bring new energy and momentum to the EU.
According to a statement released by the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Szijjártó believes that countries aspiring to EU membership and displaying rapid development, such as Georgia, hold the potential to provide positive contributions to the European bloc. He argued that Georgia is not in a worse condition than Ukraine or Moldova, both of which have already obtained candidate status, making it deserving of the same designation. Hungary, therefore, will continue its support for Georgia’s membership ambitions and strive to expedite the accession negotiations.
The importance of energy cooperation was also highlighted by Szijjártó. He stated that just as the EU required external sources during the era of fossil energy, it will likewise need them to achieve an environmentally sustainable transition. Szijjártó identified the Caucasus region as a potential provider of green energy for Europe, emphasizing the need for the development of appropriate infrastructure to transport it. He pointed out that a significant step towards this was taken last year with the signing of an agreement between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary to construct the world’s longest underwater power transmission line. This undertaking will enable the delivery of energy from the southern Caucasus to Europe via Romania and Hungary.
In addition to energy cooperation, the Hungarian Foreign Minister discussed economic collaboration and the opportunity for Hungarian water management technologies to be exported to Georgia. He emphasized the shared Christian heritage of the two countries, praising their commitment to preserving Christian traditions and values in international politics.
Szijjártó concluded his visit by announcing his intention to sign two agreements soon. The first agreement will extend a program that offers 80 scholarships per year for Georgian students to study at Hungarian universities for an additional three years. The second agreement will focus on sustainable urban development and the exchange of technologies between Hungary and Georgia.
Hungary’s firm support for Georgia’s EU membership aspirations showcases the growing recognition of Georgia’s potential contributions to the European bloc. As discussions surrounding enlargement continue, the EU faces the opportunity to embrace a new member state in Georgia, fostering further cooperation and progress within the union.
