The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia has confirmed that it submitted a detailed report to the European Commission on August 31, outlining steps taken to implement the Commission’s recommendations. The report was delivered within the official deadline.
The recommendations, issued by the European Commission, focus on strengthening democratic institutions, human rights protections and fitting into EU standards. Among the most pressing requirements are to revoke of controversial laws on ‘transparency of foreign influence’ and ‘family values,’ as well as guarantees for the protection of LGBTIQ rights.
A bigger list of measures for Georgian authorities includes ensuring fundamental freedoms such as association, assembly, expression, privacy and participation in public affairs while prohibiting all forms of discrimination. In addition, the Commission called on Georgia to:
- Repeal legislation restricting fundamental rights, including the laws on foreign influence and family values.
- Amend the national human rights strategy to fully safeguard the rights of LGBTIQ people.
- Align Georgia’s visa policy with the EU list of visa-required countries, particularly regarding states linked to irregular migration or security risks.
- Take stronger steps against unfounded asylum applications and irregular migration through awareness campaigns and stricter border controls.
- Establish both an Asset Recovery Office and Asset Management Office to strengthen efforts in asset tracing, freezing, confiscation and disposal.
- Approve a new anti-corruption strategy and action plan, with adequate resources for investigations and prosecutions of high-level corruption.
- Amend the Law on the Anti-Corruption Bureau in line with Venice Commission recommendations to ensure independence, neutrality and effective functioning.
- Bring the Law on Personal Data Protection into full alignment with EU standards.
