European Commission urges Georgia to change course to start EU membership talks
- 30 October, 09:22
The European Commission has said that it will not recommend opening EU membership talks with Georgia unless the South Caucasus country changes its current course. In a statement published on October 30, days after the contested parliamentary election amid claims of voting irregularities and Russia’s meddling, the Commission laid out conditions under which Georgia can make EU-related progress.
“Georgia's authorities should clarify their intentions by reversing this course of action. Stronger cross-party political support in all state institutions is required to pursue EU-related reforms more effectively. Inter-ministerial coordination and civic participation in implementing the EU agenda should be strengthened”, the European Commission’s report said.
The European Commission said that some policies pursued by the ruling Georgia Dream party in the past year were not aligned with the country’s objective to join the European Union. In particular, the European Commission urged the Georgian Dream authorities to repeal controversial laws on transparency of foreign influence and family values, and protection of minors to advance on its European integration path after securing EU candidacy last year.
The controversial law on foreign on transparency of foreign influence is believed to mirror a similar law in Russia and has caused large-scale protests in Georgia. Proposed by the pro-Russian ruling Georgian Dream Party, the law is seen as a major obstacle in the country’s integration to the European Union.
Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Vice-President of the European Commission, stated the report outlined a "clear path for Georgia's re-engagement" with the EU.
