Recent developments in Georgia are moving the country further away from its European integration path, a representative of the European External Action Service (EEAS), Aymeric Dupont, stated during a discussion of the Georgia report at the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
Dupont claimed that the steps taken by the Georgian authorities fall short of what the European Union expects from a candidate country.
“The measures adopted by the Georgian authorities do not meet the EU’s expectations for a candidate state. We are also observing a serious setback in the areas of democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” he said.
Dupont noted that the EU has clearly outlined its expectations, which include the release of detained journalists and activists, the repeal of what Brussels considers repressive legislation, and the implementation of democratic, comprehensive and sustainable reforms.
He further stressed that the European Union expects an end to what he described as aggressive rhetoric directed at the EU and its ambassadors.
“The Georgian authorities should refrain from actions and statements that contradict the EU’s foreign policy positions,” Dupont added.
The EEAS representative also pointed to a decline in Georgia’s alignment with the EU’s foreign policy framework, emphasizing that cooperation is expected in preventing the circumvention of EU restrictive measures against Russia.
At the same time, Dupont underlined that the European Union recognizes the strong European aspirations of the Georgian population.
“We acknowledge the European aspirations of the vast majority of Georgian citizens and remain ready to support Georgia’s democratic, stable and European future,” he stated.
