Georgia's EU prospects depend on political will and cooperation, expert

International relations expert Giorgi Mchedlishvili has said Georgia's chances of securing progress similar to that achieved by Ukraine and Moldova in their European Union accession process will depend on political will and cooperation.

Speaking to Front News on Monday, Mchedlishvili said the EU's decision to advance accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova opens a new window of opportunity for both countries.

He said the accession process is a long-term undertaking but argued that candidate status and progress in negotiations would provide substantial support to both nations.

Mchedlishvili said Ukraine could benefit from increased assistance and reconstruction opportunities in the long term, particularly if the war ends on what he described as just terms. He added that Moldova, which he said is already closely aligned with the European Union, stands to gain significant institutional and economic support as it moves further along the path towards membership.

The expert described Georgia's current position as regrettable, arguing that the country is no longer advancing along the same trajectory as the two candidate states.

"Whether Georgia will have a similar opportunity depends on many factors," Mchedlishvili said. "It requires political will and cooperation. Progress is impossible if there is no readiness on our side, and that requires many important steps."

His comments come as the European Union opens the first accession negotiation cluster for Ukraine and Moldova, a move widely seen as a significant milestone in both countries' membership bids.