Georgia's Eurointegration remains top foreign policy priority, says prime minister

Eurointegration continues to be the central focus of Georgia's foreign policy, with the country set to be fully prepared for European Union membership by 2030, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated.

Kobakhidze reaffirmed that the government’s primary goal is to align Georgia with EU standards in all key areas, including democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and economic development, Caliber.Az reports per Georgian media.

"Eurointegration remains, naturally, the top priority of foreign policy," Kobakhidze emphasized.

"By 2030, we will be more ready for EU membership than any other candidate country, in terms of all parameters. This includes democratic reforms, human rights, the rule of law, economic stability, and overall readiness for EU membership," he added.

Georgia was granted EU candidate status in December 2023, partly due to the withdrawal of a foreign agents law that resembled its Russian counterpart. However, in the spring of 2024, despite widespread protests, the Georgian parliament passed a similar law, leading to a sharp deterioration in relations between Tbilisi and Brussels. In response, the European Union suspended Georgia's accession process in July 2024.

Following disputed parliamentary elections on November 28, 2024, the newly formed government under Prime Minister Kobakhidze announced that EU accession talks would be frozen until at least 2028. This decision triggered another wave of protests across the country. In response, the Georgian authorities began implementing laws to restrict street demonstrations, limit civil society activities, and curb the independence of the media.

This decision has been met with criticism from European officials, who have expressed concerns that the Georgian government is backtracking on democratic principles. The West has called for Georgia to return to its path of European integration and for the repeal of laws that contradict EU values.

Despite these challenges, Kobakhidze expressed optimism about Georgia's future, noting that the government remains committed to the country’s European aspirations and believes that, by 2030, it will have made significant strides towards meeting the EU’s rigorous standards.

By Vafa Guliyeva