The Ministers of European Affairs from 13 EU member countries have issued a joint statement regarding the issue of Georgia.
Georgia will not be able join the European Union, as stated in the statement. If the government doesn’t change its course. According to their definition, “To view this clear decision even in the slightest way or in a completely different light is either delusional of simply false.”
“Georgia is a country that has experienced a lot in terms of fighting for freedom, self-determination and dignity. This was especially true when it achieved independence from the empire next door 30 years ago after the last occupation. Georgia’s future was set to be free, democratic, prosperous, and most importantly, European. Our countries, Germany, France and Poland, as also Belgium, Denmark, Estonia Latvia, Lithuania and Luxembourg, Portugal, Finland and Sweden, as well the Czech Republic and Belgium, have all been strong supporters of Georgia’s pro-European path since the beginning. We share their concerns and urge Georgia to hold free and fair elections. Georgians have made great strides in recent decades. Georgia’s application to join the EU in March 2022 marked a significant milestone in this journey.
Our concern is therefore all the more grave today. This is the result of our concern for the future of Georgia in Europe. As friends of Georgia, and ministers for European affairs in our countries we feel it necessary to voice Europe’s position on Georgia once again to correct the wrong perceptions and conscious distortions of Georgia’s European perspective.
Georgia was granted candidate-status in December 2023 if the Georgian authorities followed the recommendations of the European Commission. In the last few months, Georgia has adopted several laws that are incompatible with the acquis communautaire, the common normative framework for the European Union. This includes the law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence”. These decisions have caused the suspension of the integration process of your country into the European Union. The suspension will continue as long as current political trends continue. The European Council, made up of the heads and governments of the 27 members states of the European Union on June 27, 2024 decided that the events in Georgia had led to a de-facto suspension for Georgia’s membership to the European Union. One thing is clear: Georgia cannot become a member state of the European Union unless its government changes its course. It is either delusional, or simply false, to interpret this clear decision in any other way. The European Union did not make the decision easily. Months of serious consultations and discussion preceded it. It is important to realize that the European Union is more than just an economic, security, or trade union. The European Union is a family of nations that share values and are committed in protecting them. The fact that the European Union shares a common legal framework is also important. It is therefore logical that the European Union requires the implementation of European legal norms and the recognition of European value as a condition for membership. The so-called “law of transparency of foreign influences” does not, in content or spirit, correspond to the basic values and norms of the European Union. It undermines Georgian citizens‘ fundamental rights, which are the foundation of the commitments Georgia made on its path to join the European Union. Georgia’s Parliament hastily passed this law despite weeks of public protests and the veto from the President. It was also criticized by Georgia’s partners. Unfortunately, the laws that are incompatible with the European Union or the Council of Europe, and especially the legislative package which restricts the rights of LGBTQI persons, are pushing Georgia away from the EU. Meanwhile, some Georgian political figures have launched a campaign of disinformation, outright lying and slandering Georgia’s Western allies. They insulted representatives of the European Union, its member states and accused them baselessly of plots to assassinate Georgian government officials and plans for a coup.
We will be happy to welcome you into our European family as a member. Georgia is a democratic, pluralistic, and European country with a diverse range of political views, a vibrant civil community, and a rich media environment. Georgia has been granted the status of a European candidate country in 2023. The door is wide open and will remain open. The European Council has reiterated its unwavering support for the Georgian people, and its willingness to continue to assist Georgians in their journey towards a European future. We also want to be clear – we expect that the Georgian government will ensure fair and free elections. Georgians must be able choose the future they want for their children and grandchildren. We hope this will be an option that favors the European future for Georgia. You make the choice. You hold the future of Georgia in your hands.
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