EU postpones scheduled human rights dialogue with Georgia

The European Union has postponed its annual human rights dialogue with Georgia. Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the meeting had been planned for November 21 in Brussels but was cancelled only a few days before it was due to take place.

In its statement, the ministry emphasized that Tbilisi had regarded the dialogue as an important opportunity to engage with the EU — including on issues for which Georgian society frequently hears criticism from Brussels, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

“Given that the European Union suspended political dialogue with Georgia at all levels following the EU Council conclusions of June 27, 2024, the Georgian side viewed this meeting as an important opportunity to re-engage with the EU, including on issues where Brussels has frequently voiced critical assessments. In preparation, Georgia undertook extensive substantive work to ensure that the European side would receive all necessary information on every agenda item. The delegation was assembled with the participation of all relevant government agencies to secure a comprehensive and meaningful exchange.

Regrettably, despite Georgia’s efforts and readiness to hold the Human Rights Dialogue, the EU side chose to postpone the meeting on grounds that the Georgian side considers entirely unacceptable and unjustified,” the statement by the Foreign Ministry notes.

The ministry noted there is no alternative to dialogue in maintaining relationships with the partners.

“Using this development for further speculation only deepens reasonable doubts and reinforces the perception that the European External Action Service may have lacked genuine motivation to convene the meeting, and that Brussels may not be prepared to hear Georgia’s fact-based positions, including on issues previously cited as grounds for suspending political dialogue.

Georgia remains steadfast in its commitment to constructive engagement and continues to believe that dialogue between partners is the only way forward. Accordingly, Georgia is prepared to consider engaging with the EU across various dialogue formats once the suspended discussions with Brussels are fully resumed,” the ministry stated.

The postponement of the technical meeting comes amid deteriorating relations between Tbilisi and Brussels, marked by the continued absence of high-level engagement. In its 2025 Enlargement Report, the Commission sharply criticized Georgia for backsliding across almost all areas and described it as “a candidate country in name only.” Georgia was also not invited to the EU Commission’s Enlargement Forum on November 18.

By Vafa Guliyeva