Georgia’s path to EU in jeopardy, says Commissioner Marta Kos

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has warned that Georgia can only resume its progress toward European Union integration if its government takes concrete steps to restore democratic governance.

Speaking during an emergency session of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Kos emphasised that candidate status alone does not guarantee continued advancement toward EU membership, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian Public Television.

“Georgia serves as a reminder that EU candidate status does not automatically translate into progress along the European path,” she stated.

Kos expressed deep concern over Georgia’s recently adopted legislation targeting so-called "foreign agents," along with additional restrictive laws affecting the media and grants. She described these developments as serious setbacks for democratic values.

“These actions run counter to the will of the Georgian people,” she said, referencing the mass protests: “When tens of thousands march with EU flags, the government moves in the opposite direction.”

Kos urged Georgian authorities to release journalists, civil society activists, and political figures whom she said are being unjustly detained. “The responsibility for this situation lies entirely with the Georgian government,” she stressed.

While reaffirming the EU’s support for Georgia’s civil society and its citizens, Kos made clear that further integration will depend on a halt to anti-democratic measures.

The Commissioner’s remarks came just days after Georgia enacted a new law on foreign agents on May 31. The legislation closely mirrors the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), but introduces stricter provisions than the controversial "Transparency of Foreign Influence" law that triggered widespread protests in 2024.

The new law includes criminal penalties of up to five years in prison and applies not only to organisations but also to individuals. Oversight and enforcement are assigned to Georgia’s Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Under the law, any person, group, or entity whose activities serve the interests of a foreign power or receive foreign funding will be designated a foreign agent. This includes media organisations. Those meeting the criteria must notify the Anti-Corruption Bureau within 10 days.

Georgian officials argue that the legislation is necessary to counteract foreign-funded groups that they claim have been involved in recent attempts to destabilise the country. Authorities frequently cite what they call foreign-sponsored efforts to incite unrest or revolutions through non-governmental organisations.

By Tamilla Hasanova