Report: EU Commission Considers Georgia “Candidate Country in Name Only”

The report, which assesses the progress of enlargement partners annually, states that Georgia’s EU accession process has been practically halted since 2024.

“Georgia has experienced serious democratic backsliding, with a rapid erosion of the rule of law and fundamental rights being severely restricted…Including legislation curtailing civic space and fundamental rights…

Georgia needs to urgently reverse its democratic backsliding and undertake comprehensive and tangible efforts to address outstanding concerns and key reforms with cross-party support and effective civic participation in line with the nine steps set out for candidate status, in full respect of the EU values and principles upon which the European Union is founded.

Following the December 2024 European Council Conclusions that the Georgian government’s actions have de facto led to a halt of the pre-accession process and in light of Georgia’s continued backsliding on the fundamentals since then, the Commission considers Georgia a candidate country in name only.

The Georgian authorities must demonstrate resolute commitment to reverse course and return to the EU accession path.”

European Commission reiterates its steadfast solidarity with the Georgian people and its readiness to continue supporting Georgians on their path towards a European future. 

“The actions taken by the Georgian authorities fall short of the EU’s expectations of an EU candidate country.

The erosion of the principle of checks and balances and democratic decision-making, combined with the absence of effective parliamentary oversight, have resulted in an increase of executive power, including state capture.

In November 2024, the Georgian authorities’ decision not to pursue the opening of accession negotiations unequivocally confirmed their shift away from the policies of previous governments, the European aspirations of the vast majority of the Georgian people, and the commitment inscribed in the Constitution of Georgia of ensuring Georgia’s full integration into the EU.

In parallel, the Georgian authorities have also systematically disseminated anti-EU rhetoric and disinformation and have not demonstrated any political commitment to pursue the relevant reforms (i.e. the nine steps) set out in the Commission recommendations of 8 November 2023, which are necessary for the country’s progress on the EU path,” the report says.

At the press conference in Brussels, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, said that “Georgia has no viable path to the EU at this stage unless conditions change dramatically”

The Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, noted that the situation in Georgia has sharply deteriorated, with serious democratic backsliding and added, “probably never, ever before, one of the enlargement reports has been really speaking so much about backsliding”.

“Georgian authorities need to urgently reverse their course. Georgian citizens demand a European future, and they have our support. For the Commission, the candidate status for Georgia exists only on the paper,” stated Marta Kos.