The European Parliament has adopted a report on Georgia that accuses the ruling Georgian Dream of abandoning the country’s Euro-Atlantic course and pursuing closer cooperation with China, Russia and Iran.
The report claims that the ruling party’s foreign policy direction represents a departure from Georgia’s constitutional commitment to European and Euro-Atlantic integration and contradicts the aspirations of a majority of Georgian citizens.
“Having abandoned the path of Euro-Atlantic integration, Georgian Dream is making a strategic turn towards cooperation with China, Russia and Iran, as confirmed in numerous reports,” the document states.
The European Parliament said this reorientation demonstrates disregard for both Georgia’s constitutional obligations and the “clear and consistently expressed will” of Georgian society.
The report also criticizes investigations launched against individuals who have published reports on the growing influence of authoritarian states in Georgia, including Hudson Institute researcher Giorgi Kandelaki and former Defense Minister Tinatin Khidasheli.
MEPs expressed concern over the involvement of Chinese state-owned companies in strategic infrastructure projects, particularly the Anaklia Deep Sea Port project, which was initially developed with Western partners and envisioned as a key component of East-West connectivity independent of Russian and Chinese influence.
The report emphasizes that the success of the Middle Corridor and future investment initiatives under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy depend on Georgia maintaining the rule of law, transparency and stability.
The European Parliament also highlighted the strategic importance of Black Sea connectivity projects, including the Black Sea Digital Connectivity Submarine Cable and the Black Sea Submarine Electricity Cable, which aim to strengthen links between the European Union and the South Caucasus.
The document further raises concerns about Russian influence operations in Georgia. While acknowledging the important role of the Georgian Orthodox Church in public life, MEPs warned that religious networks may be used by Russia to spread disinformation and undermine pro-European sentiment.
The report also points to what it describes as growing Iranian influence in Georgia through religious, educational and economic structures. Based on the document, some economic actors linked to the Iranian regime may be facilitating sanctions circumvention, money laundering and illicit trade activities.
In addition, the European Parliament reaffirmed its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and strongly condemned Russia’s continued occupation of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, as well as the ongoing “borderization” process along the occupation line.
MEPs expressed concern over continued detentions of ethnic Georgians in the occupied territories and condemned what they described as politically motivated arrests, intimidation and discrimination.
The report also criticizes the development of a Russian naval base in Ochamchire, describing it as both a violation of Georgia’s territorial integrity and a threat to security in the Black Sea region.
The European Parliament reiterated its call for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Russian forces from Georgia’s occupied territories and called for targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for human rights violations in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, building on precedents such as the Otkhozoria–Tatunashvili List.
Although European Parliament reports are not legally binding, they reflect the official position of the EU legislature and can influence broader discussions on European Union policy toward Georgia.
Image source: Netgazeti
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