EU Ministers to Discuss Georgia’s Progress
The European Union is worried about Georgia’s progress on its path to EU membership. Last year, the EU granted Georgia candidate status, but it said that the country needed to implement nine steps to join the EU.
However, a report by the European Union Delegation in Georgia says that these steps have not been fully implemented. The report says that:
* Disinformation and manipulation of EU-related information has increased.
* Georgia’s alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy is still low.
* Political polarization has deepened, and cross-party cooperation is limited.
* The electoral process is not free or fair.
* Parliamentary oversight over security services is limited.
* Judicial reform is incomplete.
* Corruption remains a problem.
* Human rights are not fully protected.
The EU Delegation says that unless Georgia changes course, the EU will not recommend opening negotiations for membership. This means that Georgia may lose its chance to join the EU.
EU foreign ministers are meeting today to discuss Georgia’s progress. The discussion comes amid allegations of widespread rigging in recent parliamentary elections and protests against the results.
High Representative Josep Borrell said that he will propose freezing over 100 million euros in funding for government programs and redirecting it to civil society organizations. He also said that EU funds will be used to support the Georgian people, who are fighting for their freedom.
The situation is serious, but the people of Georgia can still change course and move towards democracy and EU membership.