In a recent interview on Imedis Kvira ("Imedi’s Week"), Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that although Georgia's EU candidate status was initially used as a political pressure tactic, the country did not give in—and still achieved its goal.

"Despite the fact that candidate status was conceived as an instrument of blackmail against Georgia, we neither succumbed to blackmail and still received candidate status," Kobakhidze said.

Reaffirming the country's pro-European stance, the Prime Minister emphasized that European integration continues to be Georgia’s top foreign policy priority.

"We believe that by 2030, Georgia will be more prepared than any current candidate country to join the European Union," he said. "This includes readiness in areas such as democracy, human rights, rule of law, economic development, and overall institutional strength. We are very optimistic about the future of our country in every regard."