The current prospects for Georgia to join the European Union are uncertain due to the country’s slow progress in implementing necessary reforms, known as the “nine steps”. The European Commission has expressed concerns over backsliding in areas such as fighting disinformation, election conduct, and human rights. The Georgian government’s adoption of laws that go against EU standards, such as the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence and the so-called Family Values Law, have been specifically criticized.
To start the integration process again, the Georgian authorities are requested to repeal these laws and implement the nine steps. However, it is expected that rebuilding trust will take a significant amount of time.
Regarding the relationship between Georgia and the US under the new Trump administration, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Georgia, Meline Takalian, believes that it is up to the Georgian authorities to restore relations with their long-time partners, including the EU. She emphasizes that concrete actions are necessary to reverse democratic backsliding.
The Netherlands has reintroduced border controls as a temporary measure to combat irregular migration and human trafficking, but this will not threaten free movement between Schengen countries, as the controls are designed to minimize disruptions to economic and commuter traffic in border regions.