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The new legislation, including Foreign Agents Registration Act and Law on Broadcasting, adopted by the parliament, without due public consultations, give additional tools to the Georgian authorities to supress dissent and tighten the policy of repression.
We are witnessing the Georgian authorities taking further steps away from democratic standards. The rushed adoption of amendments to the Code on Administrative Offences, Criminal Code and the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations will have far-reaching effects on Georgian society.
Today, the Commission is proposing to suspend part of the EU-Georgia Agreement on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. If the Council adopts this proposal, Georgian diplomats, officials and their families holding diplomatic and official passports would require a visa to travel to the EU...
The European Union regrets Irakli Kobakhidze's statement on the Georgian Dream's decision not to pursue the opening of EU accession negotiations and rejecting EU financial support until 2028.
EU – Georgia Relations
The EU cooperates with Georgia in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy and its eastern regional dimension, the Eastern Partnership, with the objective to bring Georgia closer to the EU.
Georgia’s EU path
On 3 March 2022, Georgia applied for EU membership. On 17 June 2022, the European Commission presented its Opinions on the applications submitted by Ukraine, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova. Based on the Commission’s Opinion, Georgia was given a European perspective on 23 June 2022 by unanimous agreement between the leaders of all 27 EU Member States.
The Commission’s Opinion outlined twelve priorities which Georgia needed to address in order to progress on the path to the EU. It was complemented by Commission’s analytical report on country’s alignment with EU acquis of 2 February 2023. A more detailed review was part of the 2023 Enlargement Package reports, presented on 08 November 2023, where Georgia was included for the first time. The Commission also recommended granting candidate status to Georgia on the understanding that nine steps are taken. On 14 December 2023, Georgia was granted candidate status by the European Council, on the understanding that the relevant steps set out in the Commission recommendation of 8 November 2023 are taken.
Key Milestones
- December 2023European Council grants candidate status, on the understanding that the relevant steps are taken
- November 2023Commission recommends candidate status on the understanding a number of steps are taken
Georgia included in the Enlargement Package reports for the first time
- June 2023Commission oral update to the Council on the progress in the 12 key priorities
- February 2023Commission’s analytical report on country’s alignment with EU acquis
- June 202212 key priorities endorsed by the European Council
- June 2022Commission Opinion recommends candidate status and outlines 12 key priorities to be addressed
- March 2022Application for EU membership
- July 2016Asssociation Agreement and DCFTA enter into force
- June 2014Signature of the Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA)
EU support to Georgia
EU support to Georgia aims at improve the quality of life of Georgian citizens through an annual grant assistance of approximately €85 million, fostering tangible and visible results.
EU assistance is based on strict conditionality, and is linked to satisfactory progress in reforms and the respect of the rule of law, effective democratic mechanisms and human rights.
The EU also supports Georgia with concrete investments through the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP), in line with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. Under the EIP, the EU has leveraged €2.1 billion in public and private investments, including for six flagships initiatives.
1a Black Sea Connectivity – Improving data connections with the EU
1b Black Sea Connectivity – Improving energy connections with the EU
2 Transport across the Black Sea – Improving physical connections between Georgia and the EU through feeder/ferry lines and refurbished ports
3 Economic Recovery – Supporting 80,000 SMEs to reap the full benefits of the DCFTA
4 Digital Connectivity for Citizens – High-speed broadband infrastructure for 1,000 rural communities
5 Improved Air Quality – Helping over 1 million people in Tbilisi breathe cleaner air
6 Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings
ENI 2019/C(2019)8383/Annual Action Programme for Georgia
- ENI 2019/041-936/Revised Action Document for EU4 Human rights in Georgia
- ENI 2019/041-934/Revised Action Document for EU4 Integrated territorial development
- ENI 2019/041-937/Action Document for the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development in Georgia, phase IV (ENPARD Georgia IV)