Georgian NGOs slam Gov’t’s EU integration stance in joint Europe Day statement

Georgian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on Friday accused the Georgian government of undermining the country's path to European Union (EU) membership.

The statement said the Europe Day, celebrated annually on May 9 to “mark the founding principles of peace, prosperity, democracy, and equality within Europe” and held “special significance for Georgia, a nation whose constitution enshrines the goal of European integration.”

However, the NGOs argued that the government, led by the ruling Georgian Dream party, has “actively stalled” the EU accession process despite the country's official status as an EU candidate.

According to the statement, the Georgian government has failed to implement necessary democratic reforms required by the EU, including judicial reforms, human rights protections, and measures to combat disinformation. The NGOs highlighted that, in 2023, the EU effectively paused the integration process following the Georgian government's adoption of "repressive laws" and its retreat from democratic principles.

The statement further criticized Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and his administration for postponing EU accession negotiations until 2028, a decision that the NGOs described as a “deliberate disregard for the will of the Georgian people.”

The NGOs emphasized that unlike Georgia, other Eastern European countries had progressed in the EU accession process by adhering to similar criteria.

"The EU accession process is based on clear criteria, including democracy, rule of law, and human rights. The refusal of the Georgian Dream to meet these criteria, while publicly claiming commitment to EU membership, is misleading and dangerous," the statement reads.

The NGOs also accused the government of undermining independent institutions, adopting repressive legislation against civil society, restricting media freedom, and engaging in intimidation of dissenting voices. They asserted that such actions contradicted the principles of European democracy.

Despite the challenges, the statement reaffirmed the commitment of Georgian society to European values, citing months of continuous protests as evidence of popular support for the country's European future.

"Georgia’s European path is not the choice of any government, but of the people," the NGOs said, vowing to continue their efforts to “safeguard democratic principles” and “ensure that Georgia remains aligned with European values.”