EU calls on Georgia to accelerate priority reforms

Acknowledging Georgia’s ongoing efforts, the European Council on Thursday urged the country to make headway in priority reforms, following the conclusion of the first day of the two-day summit of EU member states’ leaders in Brussels, which addressed various issues, including the bloc enlargement.

The Council also acknowledged the strides made by Ukraine and Moldova in advancing necessary reforms on the path to EU integration and expressed support for expediting the adoption of framework documents for accession negotiations with these nations.

As a candidate country for EU membership, Georgia must fulfill nine priorities outlined by the European Commission to progress to the next stage and commence negotiations. These include combating disinformation against EU values, aligning with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, mitigating political polarization, completing judicial reform, enhancing parliamentary oversight, implementing an action plan for de-oligarchization, and safeguarding human rights.

In December 2023, the European Union initiated negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova while granting Georgia candidate status. In January 2024, the European Commission began drafting the negotiation framework for Ukraine and Moldova – a document specifying principles and procedures for EU accession talks. The commencement date of negotiations hinges on the unanimous support of all 27 EU member states.

Critics from the opposition and civil society sector accuse the Georgian Dream government of stalling Georgia’s progress toward European integration. In response, the government argues that the delayed candidate status relative to Ukraine and Moldova was unjust.