Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement that Georgia would not hold EU membership talks until 2028 sparked uproar – both within the country and among EU leaders.
The new European Commission has entered its first week in office for a five-year mandate until 2029. From geopolitical tensions to internal challenges such as economic weakness, declining competitiveness and tackling illegal immigration, the EU executive’s new leadership team will have to navigate a tough road ahead.
Georgia’s government recently decided to suspend EU accession negotiations until 2028. As protests against the decision raged in Georgia, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s openness to the country’s potential membership.
During a visit to Kyiv on Sunday, the new president of the European Council pledged support for Ukraine on its road to become a member of the European Union, as well as EU financial assistance in the face of Russia’s invasion.
On December 2, the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union hosted a background briefing in Brussels exclusively for the European Newsroom (enr) .