Opposition, Former Officials Sign Open Letter in Support of Georgia’s EU Membership

03 Mar, 2022

Photo: Retrieved from strategeast.org

On March 2, after the Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Irakli Kobakhidze, announced that Georgia is going to apply for EU membership the next day, an open letter was published in support of Georgia’s EU membership.

In particular, the letter is addressed to top EU officials: Charles Michel (President of the European Council), Ursula von der Leyen (President of the EU Commission) and Josep Borrell (High Representative), calling them to urgently start political consultations on Georgia’s EU membership.

The creators of the letter - Center for Civic Initiatives and Innovations (CIIC) and Georgian Strategic Analysis Center (GSAC) - had sent it to Georgia’s former highest officials and opposition members to sign.

In particular, the signatories are:

Georgian Presidents

Giorgi Margvelashvili - 2013-2018

Mikheil Saakashvili - 2004-2013

Speakers of the Georgian Parliament

Davit Usupashvili - 2012-2016

Davit Bakradze - 2008-2012

Nino Burjanadze - 2001-2003; 2004-2008

Akaki Asatiani - 1991-1992

Georgian Prime Ministers

Giorgi Kvirikashvili - 2015-2018

Grigol Mgaloblishvili - 2008-2009

Lado Gurgenidze - 2007-2008

Avtandil Jorbenadze - 2001-2003

Niko Lekishvili - 1995-1998

Georgian Foreign Ministers

Mikheil Janelidze - 2015-2018

Maia Panjikidze - 2012-2014

Grigol Vashadze - 2008-2012

Eka Tkeshelashvili - May 2008 - December 2008

Gela Bezhuashvili - 2005-2008

Tedo Japaridze - 2003-2004

Irakli Menagarishvili - 1995-2003

Gogi Khoshtaria - 1990-1991

Georgian State Ministers for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration

Aleksi Petriashvili - 2012-2014

Tornike Gordadze - October 2012 - August 2012

Ambassadors of Georgia to the European Union

Natalia Sabanadze - 2013-2021

Salome Samadashvili - 2005-2007

Public Defenders of Georgia

Nino Lomjaria - 2017 - currently

Ucha Nanuashvili - 2012-2017

Giorgi Tugushi - 2009-2012

Parliamentary Parties

Lelo - Mamuka Khazaradze

United National Movement - Nika Melia

For Georgia - Kakha Kemoklidze

Strategy Aghmashenebeli - Giorgi Vashadze

Droa - Elene Khoshtaria

Republican Party - Khatuna Samnidze

Girchi - Iago Khvichia

Law and Justice - Tako Charkviani

European Georgia - Giga Bokeria

State for the People - Nika Machutadze

Citizens - Aleko Elisashvili

Georgian Parliament’s Vice Speaker - Levan Ioseliani (Citizens)

“The document is open for signing. We ask MPs of different convocations, government officials and diplomats to join,” reads the letter.