2025 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy (extract about Georgia)

The 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. There was serious backsliding in the fundamentals across the board with the adoption of repressive legislation undermining fundamental rights and freedoms, the political instrumentalisation of the judiciary, the persecution of opposition leaders, arbitrary arrests of protesters and journalists and a shrinking civic space. 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 Georgian authorities’ course of action has undermined EU-Georgia relations and moved Georgia away from the EU enlargement process. Consequently, Georgia’s EU accession process has effectively come to a standstill. Until Georgian authorities reverse their course of action, the Commission, on its part, and in complementarity with the Council, has downgraded high level political contacts, suspended bilateral assistance directly benefiting the Georgian authorities, as well as stepped up efforts to support civil society and independent media. In January 2025, based on the Commission’s proposal, the Council decided the partial suspension of the EU-Georgia Visa Facilitation Agreement and suspended visa exemption for holders of Georgian diplomatic and service/official passports. 

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.