The European Commission’s 2025 Enlargement Communication, released on 4 November, calls on the Georgian authorities to demonstrate a firm and genuine commitment to restoring democracy and returning to the country’s EU accession path.
Based on the report, Georgia “urgently needs to reverse its democratic backsliding” and take comprehensive, tangible steps to address key reforms that remain unfulfilled.
“Georgia needs to urgently reverse its democratic backsliding and undertake comprehensive and tangible efforts to address outstanding concerns and key reforms with cross-party support and effective civic participation in line with the nine steps set out for candidate status, in full respect of the EU values and principles upon which the European Union is founded,” the document states.
The report references the December 2024 European Council conclusions, which found that the Georgian government’s actions had de facto halted the country’s pre-accession process. In light of continued regression in fundamental areas such as democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, the Commission now “considers Georgia a candidate country in name only.”
The Commission underscores that the Georgian authorities must take decisive action to reverse this trajectory. It urges Tbilisi to restore political dialogue, ensure cross-party cooperation, and protect civic space, warning that failure to do so will further distance Georgia from its long-declared European aspirations.
The 2025 report is among the most critical assessments of Georgia’s democratic performance to date, highlighting the urgent need for structural reforms, adherence to EU principles, and renewed engagement with both civil society and opposition forces to regain momentum on the country’s European integration journey.
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