Georgia remains committed to EU membership despite bloc’s negative trends, PM says

Georgia remains committed to becoming a member of the European Union, a goal enshrined in its constitution, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Tuesday, adding that Tbilisi is objectively interested in a reversal of what he described as negative trends within the EU.

Speaking in an interview with the Public Broadcaster, Kobakhidze said Georgia wants to see current developments inside the EU shift “from negative to positive”, noting that these trends are “absolutely visible” and openly discussed by the US administration.

“Our declared goal, including a constitutional objective, is to become a member of the European Union. Under these conditions, we are also subjectively interested in negative trends within the EU turning in a positive direction”, he said.

Kobakhidze added there were both general and specific grounds for optimism in relations with the EU, pointing in particular to the potential end of the war in Ukraine as a factor that could improve the overall environment.

Kobakhidze also criticised the EU’s current trajectory, saying the bloc has been weakening economically and politically in recent years. He cited figures showing the EU’s share of the global economy falling from around 30 percent in 2008 to 17.5 percent last year, with a further decline expected.

“From an economic perspective, the EU is weakening year by year,” he said, adding that democracy, human rights and freedom of expression were also facing “very serious challenges”.

The Prime Minister said it remains unclear whether the EU’s weakening position would lead to a fairer approach toward Georgia by European institutions, but stressed that continued decline within the bloc would inevitably affect Georgia’s own strategic calculations.

“If the regression continues - economically, democratically, in terms of human rights - then the overall situation changes for us as well,” Kobakhidze said, reiterating that Georgia’s long-term interest lies in a stronger and more stable European Union.