We expect the Georgian Government to ensure fair and free elections. Georgians must be able choose the future they want for their children and grandchildren. This is stated in a statement released by 13 EU member state ministers.
They claim that [EU] doors will remain open.
“We are glad to have you join our European family as a member in the European Union. Georgia is a democratic, pluralistic, and European country with a vibrant civil-society and rich media landscape. Georgia has been granted the status of a European candidate country in 2023. The door is wide open and will remain so. 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 to decide what 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. The statement read: “The future of Georgia lies in your hands!”
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, have supported 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 today is therefore all the more grave.” These lines are written out of our concern for the European future Georgia. 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 received candidate status in December 20, 2023, provided 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 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, trade or security 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 makes the recognition of European value and the implementation of their legal norms a requirement for membership. The so-called “law on the transparency foreign influence” does not, in its content or spirit, correspond to the fundamental norms and values that are part 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 also came despite the unambiguous criticism of Georgian partners. Unfortunately, the laws that are in conflict with the European Union, the Council of Europe, and especially the legislation that restricts LGBTQI rights, have been passed by the Georgian Parliament. This is pushing Georgia further from the EU. Georgian politicians launched a campaign of propaganda, disinformation and outright lies against 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 dark motives of dragging Georgia into wars.
“Let me be clear: we are happy to have you as a member in our European family. Georgia is a democratic, pluralistic, and European country with a vibrant civil-society and rich media landscape. Georgia has been granted the status of a European candidate country in 2023. The door is wide open and will remain so. 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 to decide what 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. “The future of Georgia lies in your hands,” the statement reads.
The statement is signed:
Hadja LAHBIB
Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Federal Cultural Institutions in Belgium
Martin DVORAK
Minister for European Affairs (Czech Republic)
Anna LUHRMANN
Minister of State for Climate and Europe, Germany
Marie BJERRE
Minister for European Affairs, Denmark
Margus TSAHKNA
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Estonia
Joakim STRAND
Minister for European Affairs, Ownership Steering and Finland
Benjamin HADDAD
Minister Delegate for European Affaires, France
Baiba BRAZE
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia
Simonas SATUNAS
Vice-Minister for European Affairs, Lithuania
Xavier BETTEL
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Luxembourg
Adam SZLAPKA
Minister for the European Union in Poland
Ines DOMINGOS
State Secretary for European Affaires, Portugal
Jessica ROSENCRANTZ
Minister for EU Affairs in Sweden
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