Europe's regulatory body acknowledges Georgia's regression or reversal in democratic advancement

Europe's regulatory body acknowledges Georgia's regression or reversal in democratic advancement

The European Commission's annual report on Georgia's EU accession progress paints a grim picture for Tbilisi's aspirations to join the EU. The report criticizes the policies of the Georgian Dream government, stating they are at odds with the EU's values and principles, causing concern among EU officials and international observers.

The report cites numerous issues, including widespread irregularities during the October 26 parliamentary elections, backsliding in key areas like the judiciary, fundamental rights, and foreign policy, and concerns about media freedom and gender and minority rights. The report also notes Georgia's lack of progress in harmonizing foreign, security, and defense policy with Brussels.

At a press conference in Tbilisi, EU ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczynski explained that the Georgia government's course of action had led EU leaders to halt the country's accession process. The commission's report indicated that Georgia was moving away from the EU, with Herczynski saying that if the next Georgian government wishes to bring the country closer to the EU, it must reverse course and recommit to democratic principles and values.

The report underscores significant political and legal backsliding in Georgia, which has caused concern among EU leaders. In response, the European Commission withheld or reallocated €121.3 million in funding meant for 2023-2024 and froze €30 million from the European Peace Facility. High-level EU-Georgia meetings were also suspended.

These developments have raised doubts about the timeline and feasibility of Georgia's EU accession by the targeted 2030 date. However, public support within Georgia for EU integration remains strong, creating internal pressure for realignment with EU requirements. The EU remains ready to support Georgia's accession if the country chooses to return to the path toward EU norms and policies.

In stark contrast to Georgia's situation, the report lauds the progress made by Moldova and Ukraine towards EU accession. The European Commission began accession talks with Moldova and Ukraine in June, signaling Brussels' recognition of both countries' determination to pursue reforms.

In summary, the European Commission's report highlights the challenges Georgia faces due to political backsliding and the resulting suspension of EU accession talks and funding. These developments have negatively impacted Georgia's likelihood of reaching full EU membership by 2030, with the prospect of accession now contingent on Georgia reversing these trends and resuming reforms aligned with EU norms. However, the EU remains ready to support Georgia if the country returns to the accession path.

1. Despite the grim picture painted in the European Commission's report, public support within Georgia for EU integration remains strong.
2. The report highlights numerous issues in Georgia, including widespread irregularities during the October 26 parliamentary elections.3.The report also criticizes the backsliding in key areas like the judiciary, fundamental rights, and foreign policy.
3. The report notes concerns about media freedom and gender and minority rights in Georgia.
4. The European Commission cited Georgia's lack of progress in harmonizing foreign, security, and defense policy with Brussels.6.The commission's report indicated that Georgia was moving away from the EU, causing concern among EU leaders.
5. The Georgia government's course of action had led EU leaders to halt the country's accession process.
6. The report lauded the progress made by Moldova towards EU accession.
7. The European Commission began accession talks with Moldova, signaling Brussels' recognition of Moldova's determination to pursue reforms.
8. Ukraine is also praised in the report for its progress towards EU accession.11.The commission began accession talks with Ukraine in June.
9. The report underscores significant political and legal backsliding in Georgia, which has raised doubts about the timeline and feasibility of Georgia's EU accession by the targeted 2030 date.13.The suspension of EU accession talks and funding has negatively impacted Georgia's likelihood of reaching full EU membership by 2030.
10. If the next Georgian government wishes to bring the country closer to the EU, it must reverse course and recommit to democratic principles and values.
11. The EU remains ready to support Georgia's accession if the country chooses to return to the path toward EU norms and policies.
12. The European Commission withheld or reallocated €121.3 million in funding meant for 2023-2024 and froze €30 million from the European Peace Facility.
13. High-level EU-Georgia meetings were also suspended as a result of Georgia's course of action.
14. The European Commission's annual report on Georgia's EU accession progress notes Georgia's lack of progress in several areas.
15. Pawel Herczynski, the EU ambassador to Georgia, explained that EU leaders had halted the country's accession process.
16. The EU remains firm in its values and principles, which are at odds with the policies of the Georgian Dream government.
17. News of Georgia's suspension of EU accession talks has raised concerns among international observers.
18. The report also notes the need for skills training and education-and-self-development to uphold democratic principles.
19. The EU's policy-and-legislation is designed to promote personal-growth, mindfulness, and productivity.
20. The football Champions League, NBA, NFL, WNBA, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, and mixed-martial-arts are all popular sports with a massive following.
21. Sports-betting has become a growing industry, but it is heavily regulated to prevent crime-and-justice issues.

Read also: