Georgia delays EU accession talks, rejects grants until 2028

Georgia has announced it will postpone opening negotiations on its accession to the European Union and has decided to decline any EU government grants until 2028, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told a briefing.

The announcement came following a meeting between the leaders of the parliamentary majority and government officials, Caliber.Az reports citing Georgian media.

Earlier in the day, the newly elected Georgian parliament expressed confidence in the renewed government, led by Kobakhidze.

"We have decided not to put the issue of opening negotiations with the European Union on the agenda until the end of 2028. We are also refusing all budget grants from the European Union until the same period," Kobakhidze declared.

He went on to explain that the delay in EU accession talks had become a tool for "blackmail" against Georgia, similar to the pressure the country faced when seeking EU candidate status.

Kobakhidze also stressed that it is unacceptable to treat Georgia’s potential integration into the EU as a favor.

The Georgian Parliament has approved the newly appointed Cabinet of Ministers, led by prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze, and has endorsed its program for the upcoming four-year term.

In a vote of confidence, 84 MPs supported the new government, with no opposition votes.

The session was attended exclusively by members of the ruling party, Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia, as opposition parties continue to reject the results of the parliamentary elections and have boycotted the proceedings.

By Vafa Guliyeva