Georgia's accession process to the European Union remains almost at a standstill, and its candidate status is "only on paper". This conclusion is contained in the European Commission's report on EU enlargement published today. "If the Georgian authorities do not change course and reaffirm their commitment to the fundamental principles of EU membership, Georgia will lose its candidate status and the benefits gained during the pre-accession process," the document states. According to the European Commission, Georgia's ruling party continues to undermine democratic principles, the rule of law, fundamental rights and space for civil society, and contributes to continued state capture. The document notes the weakening of democratic institutions, the concentration of power, pressure on civil and political liberties, as well as hostile rhetoric and disinformation towards the European Union. Attempts to ban the main opposition parties through the Constitutional Court, according to the committee, threaten the foundations of democracy in the country. Georgia continues to fail to implement the nine recommendations that accompanied the granting of candidate status. At the same time, the European Union confirms its support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as for the European aspirations of its citizens. Georgia received candidate status in December 2023. But as early as June 2024, the European Council stated that the actions of the authorities could effectively stop the accession process. In November of that year, the Georgian government announced that it was suspending accession negotiations until 2028. In 2025, the European Commission nominated Georgia as a candidate in name only - the current assessment maintains this conclusion. Official Tbilisi, which accused Brussels of trying to control Georgia, expected another critical conclusion from the European Commission. A day earlier, Prime Minister Irakli Kobkidze said that Georgia wants to join the European Union, but "with respect when it changes."

Georgia's accession process to the European Union remains almost at a standstill, and its candidate status is "only on paper". This conclusion is contained in the European Commission's report on EU enlargement published today. "If the Georgian authorities do not change course and reaffirm their commitment to the fundamental principles of EU membership, Georgia will lose its candidate status and the benefits gained during the pre-accession process," the document states. According to the European Commission, Georgia's ruling party continues to undermine democratic principles, the rule of law, fundamental rights and space for civil society, and contributes to continued state capture. The document notes the weakening of democratic institutions, the concentration of power, pressure on civil and political liberties, as well as hostile rhetoric and disinformation towards the European Union. Attempts to ban the main opposition parties through the Constitutional Court, according to the committee, threaten the foundations of democracy in the country. Georgia continues to fail to implement the nine recommendations that accompanied the granting of candidate status. At the same time, the European Union confirms its support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as for the European aspirations of its citizens. Georgia received candidate status in December 2023. But as early as June 2024, the European Council stated that the actions of the authorities could effectively stop the accession process. In November of that year, the Georgian government announced that it was suspending accession negotiations until 2028. In 2025, the European Commission nominated Georgia as a candidate in name only - the current assessment maintains this conclusion. Official Tbilisi, which accused Brussels of trying to control Georgia, expected another critical conclusion from the European Commission. A day earlier, Prime Minister Irakli Kobkidze said that Georgia wants to join the European Union, but "with respect when it changes."