EU Enlargement Commissioner warns Georgia’s path to EU membership in jeopardy over ‘democratic setbacks’

The European Union will only consider Georgia’s continued progress toward EU membership if its leaders take clear and tangible steps to reverse recent democratic backsliding, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos told the European Parliament on Tuesday.

Speaking before the Foreign Affairs Committee, Commissioner Kos expressed concern over what she described as a “serious democratic setback” in Georgia, citing controversial legislation and the government’s recent actions against civil society.

“While thousands of Georgians took to the streets with EU flags, the authorities began to move in the opposite direction,” she said, referring to pro-European protests sparked by the Georgian government’s decision late last year to halt the country’s EU integration until 2028. 

Kos specifically condemned Georgia’s controversial foreign transparency law, along with new legislation on grants and media broadcasting. According to her, the measures threatened fundamental freedoms and ran counter to European values.

“Granting a candidate country status does not guarantee automatic progress,” Kos warned. “Georgia is a stark reminder that the path to the EU can be reversed.”

In a pointed message to Tbilisi, the Commissioner reiterated calls made last week in a joint statement with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, urging Georgian authorities to heed the public’s demand for democratic governance and a European future.

“We call on Georgian officials to release all unjustly detained journalists, activists, demonstrators, and political prisoners,” she said. “The responsibility lies solely with senior officials in Georgia.”

Kos concluded by pledging continued EU support for Georgian civil society and pro-democracy activists.

“At this time, we must help civil society organizations and Georgian citizens,” she said. “We will only consider returning Georgia to the path of European integration if high-ranking officials take real steps to restore democratic norms.”