“European parliament, as well as the European institutions and European member states stand by Georgia when it comes to the support to Georgia`s sovereignity and territorial integrity and Georgia`s sovereign right to choose its own faith and decide its own aspirations and applications for the membership in different international organizations”, - Sven Mikser stated at the joint sitting of two Committees.

“The previous speakers referred to the security situation in Europe, particularly the Russian assertiveness and aggressiveness that we see is today trying to shake the foundations of the European security arrangements and security architecture. And there is a very strong consensual position, I think, across the euroatlantic immunity that will be no return to this old concept of spheres of privileged interests, privileged influence be it Russia or anyone else. So, this means, that no third country should have a veto, have a say in matters that have to do in integration of the aspiring countries to the euroatlantic community. The support for Georgia`s sovereignity and territorial integrity is very strong across the political spectrum in the European parliament and in most European member states, it`s also very strong in different European institutions.”

According to him, it is important that these aspirations enjoy the support of the vast majority of the Georgian people.

“Pole after pole has indicated, that Georgians, whatever the political affilation, whatever the believes of interests may they have, vast majority of people actually support the aspiration of Georgia to come close to Europe, to come close to the European institutions and they also support the eventual goal of joining the Euro-Atlantic community as a full member. And this makes easy for us to say that our support to Georgia`s aspirations is not indication of support of one or the other political party, of political leaders, but it is the support that we express to the legitamte aspirations of Georgian people”.

In his speech, the MEP also spoke about political polarization.

“I believe that it is imperative that the political decision makers actually live up to the expectations of the people and do not fail people. We`ve seen politics not only in this country, but in many countries around the world, growing increasingly antagonistic, increasingly polarized and Georgia, I think, is one of the examples, where this political antagonism and political polarization has periodically brought the whole political discourse, the political process to a halt. And I don`t need to stress that, but such a continuing standoff obviously hurts those legitimate aspirations of the Georgian people. Obviously, it`s for Georgians to resolve the challenges that Georgia faced with, but the European union ready to help to facilitate”.

According to the MEP, the offer of readiness for facilitation from the EU is still valid.

He also stressed that the implementation of the Association Agreement with the EU is not related to political differences and it is focused on people.

"I would like to encourage Georgia to be ambitious. All countries have the right to apply for membership, but enlargement is a separate issue, separate from the Eastern Partnership. The Association Agreement is, of course, an important step in the process of striving for integration, but the Association Agreement does not automatically lead a country to candidacy. The success of this process depends on a number of issues, but the readiness of the country is critical. Philosophically I would say that the door of opportunity opens and closes and you may have to wait a long time for the door to open next time. I would say that this ambitious approach is important. Most of the reforms that are part of the Association Agreement are beneficial to the Georgian business climate, to the Georgian society. So, these reforms are beneficial and worth pursuing, even if we look at them independently of the ambitions of joining the European Union”, - the MEP stated.

Sven Mikser also stressed the importance of parliamentary democracy. He said it was delighful that some steps had been taken to return the political discussion to a parliamentary format.