The European Commission has issued a damning evaluation of Georgia’s progress towards becoming a member of the European Union, accusing it of “severe democratic backsliding” that has left the Caucasus nation as a candidate for membership “in title solely.”
In an annual progress report for 10 candidate international locations launched on November 4, the fee famous a authorities crackdown on political opponents and a coverage shift that seems slanted towards Moscow, successfully derailing the nation’s EU bid regardless of widespread public assist for accession.
That contrasts with reward for candidates Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, and Moldova and a carrot within the type of elevating the potential for candidate nations becoming a member of the bloc as early as 2030 if reforms stay on monitor.
“In Georgia, the state of affairs has sharply deteriorated, with severe democratic backsliding,” EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos stated in presenting the annual report.
“The fee considers Georgia a candidate nation in title solely.”
Georgia has seen its relationship with the 27-nation bloc deteriorate since Tbilisi adopted anti-LGBT laws and a so-called overseas agent regulation final yr.
The relationship eroded additional after parliamentary elections in October 2024 through which the Georgian Dream social gathering held on to energy after which determined to halt EU accession talks whereas adopting what many — together with Brussels — see as Russia-friendly insurance policies.
Several senior Georgian opposition figures have been jailed, whereas police have ramped up the arrest of protesters on the antigovernment demonstrations.
Georgian Dream says it nonetheless needs to affix the European Union, however provided that it could possibly protect what it says are Georgia’s conventional Orthodox Christian values in addition to peaceable ties with Russia.
“The findings of the report are sadly devastating for Georgia’s European aspirations,” Pawel Herczynski, the EU ambassador to Georgia, informed reporters in Tbilisi.
“Georgia will not be on the trajectory to develop into an EU member state, neither in 2030 nor later.”
With considerations rising over the rising affect of China and Russia in some components of Eastern Europe and elsewhere, the EU is as soon as once more eager on increasing to make sure its sphere of affect does not erode.
“Expanding the union is in our greatest curiosity,” the EU’s overseas coverage chief Kaja Kallas stated upon the discharge of the report assessing the candidacies of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
Kos highlighted Montenegro’s progress saying the tiny nation, which has a big and vocal Russian inhabitants, had superior farthest alongside the trail to membership.
She additionally praised Albania for “unprecedented progress” and the “accelerated pace” with which Moldova is shifting forward.
Ukraine, which has been coupled on the EU path with Moldova, was recommended for its “demonstrated” dedication to accession, although Kos famous “will probably be important to maintain this momentum and stop any danger of backsliding, particularly (on) anti-corruption.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated he hopes to affix different candidates if they’re requested to affix in 2030 whereas calling the most recent report “one of the best evaluation to this point — proof that whilst we defend in opposition to Russia’s full-scale aggression, Ukraine continues to reform and remodel in accordance with European requirements.”
Serbia, which has opened 22 coverage chapters, has additionally been caught for years as some EU member states are important of Belgrade’s refusal to align with EU sanctions on Russia.
But the report famous different points similar to a perceived backsliding in relation to freedom of expression and smear campaigns in opposition to civil society.
“Serbia, sure, we’re very important. But I’m providing a hand: You can get all the things from us. But I can not hear any extra Serbian politicians blaming the EU for what’s taking place in Serbia,” Kos stated.
