German Ambassador Criticizes Georgia‘s Stalled EU Accession Process
Germany’s Ambassador to Georgia, Peter Fischer, recently gave an interview to the UN Global Compact Network Georgia. He spoke about the country’s stalled European Union accession process and its impact on Germany-Georgia relations.
Ambassador Fischer said that German-Georgian relations are in crisis. He claimed that the EU had given Georgia candidate status as a sign of friendship, despite not meeting all the requirements. However, he noted that the Georgian government has been moving away from the EU’s values, such as reintroducing the Foreign Agents law and passing anti-LGBTQ legislation.
The Ambassador criticized the Georgian government for saying that the EU integration process continues, when in reality it has come to a halt. He said that the leaders of the European Union had decided this in June and October, but nobody is reading or following these decisions.
Fischer also spoke about the recent elections in Georgia. He said that they were not conducted fairly and are not compatible with what the EU expects from candidate countries.
Georgia’s Business Sector Missing Out
Ambassador Fischer highlighted how Georgia’s business sector is missing out on opportunities due to limited integration with the EU market. Despite having a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) since 2016, Georgian exports to the EU have only increased minimally, by about 2%.
He emphasized that this is because of non-compliance with EU standards, such as phytosanitary regulations for agricultural products. Fischer warned that Georgia needs to align with EU standards to access one of the world’s most prosperous markets.
Investors Deterred
The Ambassador pointed out that the current crisis in EU-Georgia relations and Georgia’s stalled European integration are deterring potential investors. He said that foreign investors, including German businesses, are hesitant to invest in a country that is drifting away from the EU.
Some companies have already withdrawn their investments, such as Heidelberg Cement. Fischer argued that a lack of alignment with EU frameworks leaves Georgia as a small, emerging market in the South Caucasus with limited appeal for large-scale investment.
Negative Effects on Economy
The Ambassador warned about the negative effects of drifting away from the EU on Georgia’s economy, including the impact on the national currency, emigration of young people, and fluctuations in stock market prices.