EU set to discuss Georgia’s EU integration strategy at December gathering

EU foreign ministers are poised to tackle the situation in Georgia during a meeting in Brussels on December 16.

EU Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczynski confirmed the decision to reporters, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"The issue of Georgia has been considered several times recently. The issue of Georgia will be considered by the foreign ministers of the 27 EU countries at a meeting on December 16. I think I will be able to provide more information after this meeting. What I can say is that all options are on the table. These are the options we have been discussing for several months, including the possibility of ending the visa-free regime," Herczynski said.

The EU’s disappointment over Georgia’s decision to halt EU membership talks and its lack of interest in EU integration for the next four years was also highlighted by Herczynski.

"As we have opened the door of the European Union to Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova, Ukraine and Moldova are progressing. As for Georgia, we heard yesterday that it is not interested in going down the path of European Union integration in the next four years. This is a sovereign decision of the Georgian authorities, which is extremely disappointing," the diplomat stated.

He emphasized that the decision regarding the country's future should ultimately be made by the Georgian people themselves.

Earlier, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the ruling party, "Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia," had decided not to include the issue of EU accession talks in the agenda until the end of 2028 and to refuse all budgetary grants from the EU. 

According to Kobakhidze, this decision stemmed from constant pressure from the EU over the start of accession dialogue, demands to cancel certain laws passed by the Georgian parliament, and calls for sanctions against Georgian authorities.

Kobakhidze's statement sparked protests, with some citizens gathering outside the parliament building on November 28. The rally escalated into a confrontation with police, leading to injuries among law enforcement officers, protesters, and media personnel. Special forces were deployed to disperse the crowd and clear Rustaveli Avenue in front of the parliament by the morning of November 29.

By Tamilla Hasanova