EU Enlargement Commissioner: Georgia experiencing ‘unprecedented backsliding’

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has said that Georgia is experiencing democratic backsliding to a degree seen in no other country, stressing that responsibility for reversing the trend lies with the government.

Speaking on the issue on Monday, Kos referred to the European Commission’s enlargement report and said its conclusions would be discussed at the EU Council, but noted that the key assessments are already clear.

“In the enlargement report, we said that there is backsliding in Georgia like in no other country,” Kos said. “If the country wants to move forward on the European path, it must act differently, and this concerns the government.”

She added that the European Union will continue to support Georgia’s civil society and independent media, describing them as essential not only for maintaining public hope but also for sending a clear message to the authorities.

“It is not right when the government ignores the will of the people,” Kos said. “We will certainly continue to support civil society and independent media, because this is extremely important.”

The commissioner expressed hope that, with the support of the Georgian people, the country’s leadership would return to the European course.

“I truly hope that, with the backing of the Georgian people, the Georgian authorities will return to the European path,” she said. “This is in their hands.”