Thousands rallied in the streets of Tbilisi to demand closer ties with the European Union, days after the European Commission recommended postponing Georgia's candidacy.

Waving the flags of Georgia, Ukraine and the European Union, about 60,000 people gathered outside the Georgian parliament on Monday in what became known as the "March for Europe".

Many of them carried placards that read "We are Europe", while in the background was heard the EU anthem "Chamber of Joy", reports Telegrafi.

Nodar Rukhadze, one of the organizers of the march, said the purpose of the rally was to send a message that "the people of Georgia have chosen Europe, and that they are ready to defend their choice."

On June 17, the European Commission recommended that the European Union grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova, but that before granting candidate status, they would assess Georgia's compliance with the criteria.

The commission also recommended that Georgia be given a "European perspective", which EC President Ursula von der Leyen said was a major step on Georgia's path to membership.

"The door is open, and the more you do the more you will make progress," she added.