Georgian PM vows EU membership readiness by 2030, hails MPs for law condemned by bloc

Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday pledged that Georgia would be ready to achieve full membership in the European Union by 2030, amidst ongoing criticism from EU officials over a recent foreign influence transparency law adopted by Georgian Parliament.

In his annual address to Parliament, Kobakhidze praised lawmakers for their role in passing the legislation, which he described as crucial for strengthening Georgia’s sovereignty and state independence. However, the law has been viewed unfavorably by the EU, US, and other allies, who argue that it poses an obstacle to Georgia’s EU integration aspirations.

Speaking at the parliamentary session, Kobakhidze highlighted the law as a “significant step towards ensuring Georgia’s stability and economic growth amidst external pressures”. He emphasized that despite challenges, including a political crisis in 2021, Georgia had maintained peace and doubled its nominal GDP, reaching over $9,000. The PM also underscored the importance of economic development as a prerequisite for Georgia’s European integration.

“Despite these difficult events, we have managed to strengthen Georgia’s state sovereignty with the adoption of this law,” Kobakhidze said. “It is essential that we continue to maintain peace, stability, and economic growth, all of which are critical for our European integration path.”

He also acknowledged Georgia’s recent achievement of candidate status for EU membership, a milestone he described as a testament to the country’s progress towards European integration. Kobakhidze claimed that Georgia aimed to be the most prepared among candidate countries for full EU membership by 2030, aligning its policies with EU standards and priorities.

“While we continue to face challenges, including differing views with our European partners on certain legislative measures, we remain committed to our European path,” Kobakhidze affirmed. “Our active cooperation with NATO and efforts to enhance defense capabilities are also integral to our strategic priorities.”

He also drew comparisons with candidate countries, noting that economic development was crucial for European integration. “With an economy that has grown from approximately $4,250 to over $9,000, Georgia stands ahead of countries like Ukraine and Moldova in both economic terms and on the path to European integration,” he added.