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This Saturday in Georgia was the day of local elections, amid a period of extensive crackdown on dissent. Months of raids on independent media, the passing of laws targeting civil society, the jailing of opponents and activists or amendments to the electoral code favouring the ruling party...
Georgia's Foreign Agents Registration Act marks a serious setback for the country's democracy.
The new legislation, including Foreign Agents Registration Act and Law on Broadcasting, adopted by the parliament, without due public consultations, give additional tools to the Georgian authorities to supress dissent and tighten the policy of repression.
We are witnessing the Georgian authorities taking further steps away from democratic standards. The rushed adoption of amendments to the Code on Administrative Offences, Criminal Code and the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations will have far-reaching effects on Georgian society.
EU – Georgia Relations
The European U cooperates with Georgia in the framework of the and its eastern regional dimension, the. The Association Agreement, signed in 2014. forms the legal foundation of EU-Georgia relations.
The European Union cooperates with Georgia within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy and its eastern regional dimension, the Eastern Partnership. The Association Agreement, signed in 2014, forms the legal foundation of EU-Georgia relations.
Georgia’s EU path
On 3 March 2022, Georgia applied for EU membership. Based on the Commission’s Opinion, Georgia was granted a European perspective on 23 June 2022, by unanimous agreement of all 27 EU Member States.
On 14 December 2023, the European Council granted Georgia candidate status, on the understanding that the relevant reforms associated to the nine steps of the Commission’s recommendations of 8 November 2023 were implemented.
On 27 June 2024, the European Council expressed serious concerns about the Georgian government’s actions, including backsliding on the nine steps outlined in the Commission’s recommendations. It concluded that this was de facto halting Georgia’s EU accession process.
On 17 October 2024, the European Council reiterated that the Georgian government’s actions jeopardised Georgia’s European path and halted the accession process. It urged Georgia to pursue democratic, comprehensive and sustainable reforms, in line with the core principles of European integration.
On 30 October 2024, the European Commission published its 2024 Enlargement Package, including the Communication on EU Enlargement Policy and the Report on Georgia. The Commission noted that, since the granting of candidate status in December 2023, the Georgian authorities had shown insufficient political commitment to implementing the reforms necessary for progress on the European path. The report found that insignificant progress had been made on the nine steps. The Commission concluded that, unless Georgia reverses its current course, addresses outstanding concerns, and demonstrates tangible reform efforts, it cannot recommend opening accession negotiations.
In December 2024, the European Council regretted the Georgian government’s decision to suspend the EU accession process until 2028 and recalled its June and October 2024 conclusions. It underlined the EU’s readiness to support the Georgian people’s European aspirations and the country’s path towards accession, should the authorities reverse their current course of action.
Key Milestones
- December 2024European Council regrets the Georgian government’s decision to suspend the EU accession process until 2028.
- June & October 2024European Council concludes that the Georgian government’s actions jeopardise Georgia’s EU path, leading to a de facto halt of the accession process.
- December 2023European Council grants candidate status, on the understanding that the relevant steps are taken
- November 2023Commission recommends candidate status on the understanding a number of steps are taken
Georgia included in the Enlargement Package reports for the first time
- June 2023Commission oral update to the Council on the progress in the 12 key priorities
- February 2023Commission’s analytical report on country’s alignment with EU acquis
- June 202212 key priorities endorsed by the European Council
- June 2022Commission Opinion recommends candidate status and outlines 12 key priorities to be addressed
- March 2022Application for EU membership
- July 2016Asssociation Agreement and DCFTA enter into force
- June 2014Signature of the Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA)
EU support to Georgia
Between 2021 and 2024, the EU provided Georgia with annual grant assistance of approximately €85 million, aimed at improving the quality of life of Georgian citizens.
However, in response to democratic backsliding, since June 2024, the European Commission has suspended financial bilateral assistance directly benefiting Georgian authorities until further notice, leading to a reduction in overall EU assistance. The EU continues to fund programmes directly benefiting Georgian citizens and has increased support to civil society and independent media.
ENI 2019/C(2019)8383/Annual Action Programme for Georgia
- ENI 2019/041-936/Revised Action Document for EU4 Human rights in Georgia
- ENI 2019/041-934/Revised Action Document for EU4 Integrated territorial development
- ENI 2019/041-937/Action Document for the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development in Georgia, phase IV (ENPARD Georgia IV)