The representative of the European Council once again expressed concern about Georgia’s recent developments, especially the adoption of the foreign agents law. The council considered this development a step backward for the country’s progress towards the EU’s integration as well.
The European Council meeting, held on June 27, 2024, brought together the leaders of the 27 member states of the European Union and expressed grave concern over the recent developments and democratic regression in Georgia. At the same time, according to the assessment of the leaders of the EU member states, the adoption of the Russian law is a definite setback in the process of fulfilling the 9 targets given to Georgia by the European Commission last year.
Notably, fulfillment of the 9 steps, along with commitment to European values, is a prerequisite for starting negotiations for accession to the European Union. Moreover, the European Council called on the Georgian authorities to clarify their intentions by changing the course taken, as this would put Georgia’s path to the European Union at risk and “will lead to a de facto suspension of the accession process.”
The EU’s leader also criticized the conduct and ended physical attacks, intimidation, and threats against civil society representatives, political leaders, civil activists, and journalists during the protest against the foreign agent’s law.
It is worth noting that Georgia’s progress will also be determined in the new assessment of the member countries. At the same time, the threat of freezing the process of joining Georgia to the European Union is real, and it is confirmed by the statements made by the high officials of the European Union and its member states.
European Council representative once again urged the Georgian authorities to withdraw the Russian law and other legislative initiatives that are against the fundamental principles and values of the European Union;
It also advised the Georgian government not to stand up to the will of the vast majority of Georgian citizens to become a member of the European family and take care of every achievement achieved on the path of European integration.
