Envoy warns: Georgia’s EU membership bid at risk

Russia could face a prolonged suspension of its chances to join the European Union, according to EU Ambassador to Tbilisi Pawel Herczynski.

"In 2023, the European Union welcomed Georgia into the European family by granting it candidate status for EU membership. We celebrated that historic achievement together. However, today Georgia’s path toward European integration is on hold," he said, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

The diplomat added that regrettably, Georgia may lose this historic opportunity to become an EU member for an extended period.

"Furthermore, democracy in Georgia is at risk," he warned.

The ambassador also mentioned that the issue of Georgia might be on the agenda at the EU foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled for June 23. Topics likely to be discussed include disinformation campaigns targeting the EU, potential sanctions, and the visa-free travel arrangement.

Tensions between Tbilisi and Brussels escalated following the Georgian parliament’s adoption of the foreign agents law in May 2024. The EU has also raised concerns about the integrity and transparency of Georgia’s parliamentary elections held on October 26, 2024.

Subsequently, in January 2025, the EU suspended the visa-free regime for Georgian diplomats and officials.

Additionally, some member states have imposed personal sanctions on certain Georgian government representatives.

By Tamilla Hasanova