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EU membership: Commission attests to Georgia’s setbacks

by AI | 31.Oct 2024 | Europe in brief AI

On Wednesday, the EU Commission in Brussels presented its enlargement report for 2024. It expressed clear criticism of Georgia. The Commission largely spoke positively about Ukraine, Moldova, and Bosnia.

Archive image - The government in Tbilisi is being urged, among other things, to withdraw two controversial laws. Photo: Vano Shlamov/AFP

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EU-wide/Brussels – Since Georgia was recognized as an EU candidate country at the end of 2023, the country has made significant backsliding. This is the judgment of the EU Commission in its enlargement report published Wednesday in Brussels. The government in Tbilisi is, among other things, called upon to withdraw two controversial laws. With regard to Moldova and Ukraine, the Commission hopes to be able to start accession negotiations in 2025.

“The EU remains determined to further deepen the partnership with Georgia, as is the wish of the vast majority of the Georgian population,” the report states. “If Georgia does not reverse its current approach, which jeopardizes its path to the EU, and shows tangible efforts to resolve outstanding issues and implement important reforms, the Commission will not be able to recommend the start of negotiations with Georgia.”

Regarding Serbia, the Commission reiterates its position that the country meets the conditions to open the third negotiation chapter. So far, however, this step has not been taken by the EU member states, which must decide unanimously on this issue. Despite progress, the Brussels authority criticizes that Serbia still diverges from the EU position, especially regarding Russia. The EU Commission speaks largely favorably of Bosnia-Herzegovina, although some steps are still missing before a negotiation framework (a precondition for negotiations; note) can be adopted.

“Europe is not complete without the Western Balkans, and we risk that other influences such as from Russia or China will intensify and push back democracy and our European values in the immediate neighborhood,” expressed the head of the ÖVP delegation in the EU Parliament, Reinhold Lopatka, on the enlargement package published today.

“Enlargement is in line with the EU’s goals of promoting democracy, stability, and prosperity in Europe, which benefits both the EU and the candidate countries,” said SPÖ delegation leader Andreas Schieder in a statement. “The prospect of EU membership and the fulfillment of the associated criteria encourage candidate countries to advance partly necessary reforms to promote the rule of law and human rights.” (30.10.2024)

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