Ruling party “not willing” to meet EU recommendations for the bloc’s candidacy – UNM’s Dekanoidze

The United National Movement opposition party MP, Khatia Dekanoidze, said Friday that the ruling Georgian Dream party “was not willing:” to meet the 12 conditions set by the European Commission in June for the country to receive the membership candidate status next year. 

Dekanoidze suggested that blocking the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy in the parliamentary working group on electoral issues, was “another proof” the ruling party “deliberately hampered” the country’s European integration process

“Unfortunately, the Georgian Dream continues to ignore the necessary recommendations to get candidate status. This is confirmed by the decision taken by the parliamentary majority to withdraw the most influential organization from all processes  on the election environment and election legislation in Georgia –  ISFED, as  well as an important group of experts working on the judicial system”, Dekanoidze stated. 

The MP said that “continued attacks” on the US embassy “by the ruling party” also “aimed to hinder” Georgia’s EU integration. 

Georgia applied for EU membership in March, along with Ukraine and Moldova,shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

In June Ukraine and Moldova were granted the candidate status, while Georgia was granted European perspective and several months to address judiciary,electoral  and others issues to receive the candidate status next year. 

The ruling party said that ISFED was not invited to the working group as the NGO “was affiliated with the radical opposition”, and that only “neutral” NGOs would be invited for participation.