Kobakhidze: Georgia Continues to Advance European Integration Commitments Despite Challenges with EU Bureaucracy

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said that Georgia remains committed to fulfilling its European integration obligations despite ongoing challenges in relations with European institutions, highlighting progress in implementing the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.

Speaking to journalists in Brussels, Kobakhidze emphasized that the government remains focused on its national agenda, which includes commitments agreed upon with the European Union.

“We are focused on our national agenda, and the Association Agenda agreed with the European Union is part of that agenda,” Kobakhidze said.

The Prime Minister pointed to what he described as substantial progress in implementing obligations under the Association Agreement, claiming that the compliance rate had increased from approximately 60–65% in previous years to more than 90%.

“If we look at the level of implementation of obligations under the Association Agreement, at one stage it stood at approximately 60–65%. Today, that figure exceeds 90%. This means that despite all the challenges we face with the European bureaucracy, we continue to move forward and fulfil our commitments under the European integration agenda,” he stated.

Kobakhidze also highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen domestic institutions and promote economic development, describing these as essential components of Georgia’s long-term European aspirations.

“At the same time, we are strengthening our domestic system and democratic institutions, while paying particular attention to the development of Georgia’s economy,” he said.

The Prime Minister stressed that economic performance would play a crucial role in determining whether countries ultimately qualify for EU membership.

“We fully understand that, ultimately, when it comes to a country’s accession to the European Union, the economy will be one of the key criteria. And I would like to reiterate that Georgia ranks first in Europe in terms of economic growth,” Kobakhidze said.