Tens of thousands in Georgia celebrate the status of EU candidate Israel vows that the US will continue a long war in Gaza – the nightly update without photos

In the Georgian capital Tbilisi, tens of thousands of people celebrated their country’s classification as a candidate for EU membership on Friday. Iraqi Prime Minister Garibashvili spoke of a “historic victory” on Freedom Square.

According to media reports, he said it was a success for the Georgian people and government to achieve this status. An orchestra played the European anthem; there were fireworks. The flags of the EU and Georgia were projected onto the government building.

Still a long way to go

The day before, a summit of EU heads of state and government in Brussels had decided on the accession negotiations with Ukraine and granted the Republic of Moldova and Georgia the status of candidate country. It will likely be a long road to membership for the former Soviet republic in the South Caucasus. Like Ukraine and Moldova, Georgia does not have full control over its territory. The Black Sea regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia have been separated and Russia has recognized them as independent.

The majority of the Georgian population has long been in favor of rapprochement with the EU. Garibashvili and the ruling Georgian Dream party are openly pro-Europe, but have many pro-Russian policies. In March, scores of people carrying European flags protested in Tbilisi as the government wanted to introduce repressive laws similar to those in Russia.

(dsc/sda/dpa)