EU Ambassador: unfortunately, conclusions of report are devastating for Georgia’s European aspirations

EU Ambassador to Georgia Paweł Herczyński on Tuesday said the conclusions of the bloc’s annual enlargement report were “devastating” for Georgia’s European aspirations, but stressed that, while the report highlighted setbacks, the country’s path to EU membership remained in its own hands, provided the Government recommits to key reforms and European principles.

“The EU’s door remains open to Georgia, provided the authorities take the necessary steps. However, this year’s report has been difficult to present. Unfortunately, its conclusions are devastating for Georgia’s European aspirations. Georgia is further away from EU membership today than it was in 2023, when it received candidate status”, Herczyński said.

He pointed to what he called “an unprecedented level of backsliding” in recent years, including “a rapid erosion of the rule of law, severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms, the politicisation of institutions and legislative changes undermining the independence and impartiality of the judiciary”.

“Systemic repressive actions have harmed civil society and the media environment. Excessive use of force by law enforcement has gone unpunished. Hostile rhetoric and disinformation against the EU have periodically been spread by Georgian authorities, aiming to undermine EU–Georgia relations. The imprisonment of opposition leaders and the banning of political parties represent an attack on the EU’s democratic principles”, he stated.

Herczyński also said that Georgia’s progress in aligning with specific EU standards had “significantly slowed,” adding that the country no longer held its former leadership position in implementing the Association Agreement signed with the bloc in 2014.

“While the Georgian government has chosen to distance itself from the EU, other candidate countries have advanced in reforms and accession talks. Today, the European Commission does not consider Georgia a realistic candidate country, it remains so only on paper and in name”, he said.

He highlighted, however, that the EU’s door remained open if the Government decided to recommit to the bloc’s founding principles.

“The report outlines concrete steps Georgia must take to join the EU. Georgia must demonstrate a strong will to reverse its backsliding and make progress on the nine key priorities. For 30 years, the EU has stood by Georgia through good and difficult times because we believe in Georgia - just as its people believe in the European Union. I hope the Government will honour its promise to the Georgian people. The findings of this report should not be seen as a final judgment, but as a call to action”, Herczyński concluded.