Georgia approves action plan to implement EU recommendations

The Georgian government has approved an action plan at a meeting of the European Integration Committee to implement nine recommendations necessary for further rapprochement with the EU after receiving the status of an EU candidate member.

“The 70th meeting of the European Integration Committee was held under the leadership of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. An action plan was reviewed and approved at a meeting held in the government’s administration to implement the recommendations of the European Commission,” TASS reports, citing the Georgian government.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry together with the parliament acted as the coordinator for the preparation of the action plan. It includes future specific steps. The plan will be sent to the European Commission, after which it will become available to all interested sides.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said on November 8 that the European Commission recommends the EU Council to begin negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine on admission and grant Georgia candidate status for accession. The European Commission positively assessed the reforms carried out in Georgia but stated that the country still has some work to do.

The new recommendations commit Georgia to comprehensive reform to combat the influence of oligarchs in politics. The EU also demands the country’s authorities to carry out judicial reform and combat disinformation and manipulation. One of the main demands is to hold fair and transparent parliamentary elections, scheduled for October 2024.