Radio Debate: EU Enlargement Report on Georgia

31/10/2024

On October 30, 2024, the European Commission published its annual Enlargement Report, assessing the progress of countries on their paths toward EU accession. The Radio Free Europe debate focused on the report's findings regarding Georgia and highlighted Georgia’s missed opportunity to capitalise on the geopolitical window to join the EU. There are growing signs of authoritarianism, particularly with laws introduced by Georgian Dream officials in recent months that undermine democratic progress.While radical forces are rising across Europe, Georgia is also faced with a lack of institutional checks and balances. This absence makes it difficult for the country to uphold democratic principles like the rule of law and human rights, allowing populist, right-wing governance to thrive unchecked.

One of the nine reform priorities of the EU Commission for Georgia was free and fair elections. The EU report on Georgia mentions that the parliamentary elections, held on October 26, were marked by concerns over political tensions, legal and institutional challenges, and a perceived lack of inclusivity. The EU highlighted the need for further electoral reforms and the strengthening of democratic institutions. The pre-election environment raised doubts about the legitimacy of the results, with interim reports suggesting violations more severe than in previous elections. An independent international investigation would be necessary to restore transparency and trust.

Another key challenge for Georgia lies in its alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). Georgia’s moderate alignment reflects the influence of internal political dynamics, particularly the policies of the ruling Georgian Dream party, as well as external pressures. These pressures include Tbilisi’s delicate balancing act in its relationships with Russia, Iran, and Belarus, alongside other regional and global actors. The report raised concerns about the broader implications of Georgia’s non-alignment in key areas, warning that such divergences could destabilise the Caucasus region and hinder regional security and cooperation.

On October 31st, 2024, the EU Enlargement Report and Georgia’s EU integration process were the focus of a radio debate featuring Korneli Kakachia, Director of the Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP), in the framework of the GEO4EU project. The event was moderated by Niko Nergadze, journalist from Radio Free Europe, and Nino Samkharadze, policy analyst at GIP. The whole transcript of the radio debate is available below.