Georgia's EU accession process has come to a virtual halt, with Brussels warning that progress will remain stalled unless the country's authorities show a clear commitment to reversing course and re-aligning with the path of European integration.
This is stated in the EU Council’s conclusions on enlargement, published by the Council Presidency and released by the EU Delegation to Georgia, The Caspian Post reports, citing Georgia Today.
Based on the document, the Council notes a serious overall regression in democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in
Georgia. It emphasizes that the actions of the Georgian authorities fall short of the standards expected from an EU candidate country, citing the adoption of repressive legislation that undermines fundamental rights, the use of the judiciary as a political instrument, the persecution of opposition figures, the unjustified detention of protesters and journalists, and the shrinking space for civil society.
The Council reiterates its support for the European aspirations of the overwhelming majority of Georgian citizens, while strongly condemning the dissemination of disinformation and anti-EU narratives by the authorities. It also expresses regret over Georgia’s backsliding on the implementation of the nine steps that led to the granting of EU candidate status.
As initial steps toward re-engagement, the EU calls on the Georgian authorities to release all unjustly detained politicians, journalists, and activists; repeal repressive laws; pursue democratic, inclusive, and sustainable reforms in line with core European principles; and stop using aggressive rhetoric against the EU, EU ambassadors, and the Head of the EU Delegation.
The Council reaffirms the EU’s firm support for Georgia’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and reiterates its commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts, including through the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia.
In addition, the EU regrets Georgia’s failure to implement the recommendations of the seventh report under the visa suspension mechanism and urges the authorities to immediately meet visa liberalization benchmarks. The Council also calls on Georgia to intensify efforts to fully align with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, particularly by joining restrictive measures against Russia and Belarus, and to refrain from actions or statements that contradict EU foreign policy positions, including efforts to prevent the circumvention of EU sanctions.
