Georgian PM Says Country Aims to Be Better Prepared to Advance EU Integration Process by End of 2028

Georgia will be significantly better prepared to advance its European Union integration process by the end of 2028, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said, citing progress in implementing commitments under the country’s Association Agreement and its free trade deal with the EU.

Kobakhidze made the remarks during an appearance on Open Air, a programme aired by Georgia’s Imedi TV.

The prime minister said the government’s main priority on the EU track is implementing measures under the Association Agenda and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), which forms part of Georgia’s Association Agreement with the European Union.

“As for the steps to be taken towards the European Union, our main task is to implement the measures envisaged by the Association Agenda and the DCFTA, the free trade agreement,” Kobakhidze said.

“At present, we have already fulfilled approximately 90% of the relevant obligations stemming from the Association Agreement and the free trade agreement, and we are continuing to work in this direction,” he added.

Kobakhidze contrasted the current figure with the level of implementation two years earlier, which he put at approximately 65%.

“We were not in this position even two years ago, when the implementation rate was around 65%. This is the main work we are doing and will continue to pursue, despite the fact that the opening of negotiations is not currently on the agenda,” he said.

The prime minister said continued implementation of Georgia’s commitments would leave the country better positioned to move forward with the EU integration process in the future.

“By the end of 2028, we will be much better prepared to continue the process than we were four years earlier including at the end of 2024, when the relevant statement was made,” Kobakhidze said.