Ministers of European Affairs of 13 EU countries: The European future of Georgia is in your hands

We expect the Georgian government to ensure free and fair elections. Georgians should be able to choose which future they want for themselves, their children and grandchildren – this is stated in a joint statement issued by the ministers of European affairs of 13 EU member states.

They claim that the [EU] door will remain open.

“We will be glad to see you in our European family, as a member of the European Union. Georgia is a European, pluralistic and democratic country with a diverse political spectrum, a vibrant civil society and a rich media landscape, and Georgia has received the status of a candidate country for the European Union in 2023. The door is open and will stay open. That is why the European Council reiterated its unwavering solidarity with the Georgian people and its readiness to continue supporting Georgians on the path to a European future. Let’s also clarify – we expect the Georgian government to ensure free and fair elections. Georgians should be able to choose which future they want for themselves, their children and grandchildren. We hope that this will be a choice in favor of the European future of Georgia. The choice is yours. The future of Georgia is in your hands!” the statement said.

As stated in their statement, Georgia will not be able to become a member of the European Union if the government does not change its course. According to their own definition, “To interpret this clear decision in even the slightest light or in a different way is either delusional or simply false.”

“Georgia, as a country in a difficult geopolitical environment, has a lot of experience of fighting for freedom and self-determination, values and dignity, especially when it gained independence from the neighboring empire 30 years ago, after the last occupation. It was the beginning of Georgia’s free, democratic, prosperous and, what is important, European future. Based on the public support of the pro-European path by the largest part of the Georgian people, our countries: Germany, France, Poland, as well as Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, Finland, Sweden and the Czech Republic, have been strong supporters of Georgia on this path from the beginning and Again, we share their concerns and call on Georgia to make the upcoming elections free and fair. The Georgian people have achieved a lot in recent decades – Georgia’s application for EU membership in March 2022 was a historic milestone on this path.

“Therefore, our concern today is all the more serious. These lines are written by our heartache for the European future of Georgia. As friends of Georgia and ministers of European affairs of our countries, we consider it necessary to once again voice Europe’s position regarding Georgia in order to correct the wrong perception and conscious distortion of Georgia’s European perspectives.

“Georgia was granted candidate status in December 2023, provided that the Georgian authorities took appropriate steps as indicated in the European Commission’s recommendation. During the past months, Georgia adopted several laws inconsistent with the common normative framework of the European Union (acquis communautaire), in particular, the law “On transparency of foreign influence”. Because of these decisions, the process of your country’s integration into the European Union has been suspended. It will be suspended as long as the current political course continues. On June 27, 2024, the European Council, which consists of the heads of state and government of the 27 member states of the European Union, decided: the events in Georgia led to the de-facto suspension of Georgia’s accession to the European Union. Therefore, one thing should be clear: Georgia will not be able to become a member of the European Union, unless the Georgian government changes course. To interpret this clear decision even slightly toned down or otherwise is either delusional or simply false.It was not an easy decision for the European Union: it was preceded by months of serious consultations and discussions, but so far without success. It is important to understand that the European Union is not only an economic, trade, security or social union. The European Union is, rather, a family of countries that share common values and are committed to protecting those values. Equally important is the fact that the European Union is a legal union that shares a legislative framework. Therefore, it is logical that the European Union places the recognition of European values and the implementation of its legal norms as a prerequisite for membership. The so-called “law on the transparency of foreign influence” neither in content nor in spirit corresponds to the basic norms and values of the European Union. It undermines the fundamental rights of Georgian citizens, which are the basis of the commitments that Georgia took on the path to joining the European Union. The Parliament of Georgia hastily adopted this law, despite many weeks of public protests, the veto of the President, and the unequivocal criticism of Georgia’s partners. Unfortunately, the laws inconsistent with the European Union and the Council of Europe that have come into force in the past months, especially the legislative package that restricts the rights of LGBTQI people, are pushing Georgia further away from the EU path. Meanwhile, some Georgian politicians have launched an unprecedented campaign of propaganda, disinformation, outright lies and slander against Georgia’s Western partners. They insulted the representatives of the European Union and its member states, baselessly accused them of plans for a coup d’état and assassination of Georgian government officials, dark motives for dragging Georgia into wars, “liberal fascism” and many other things.

“Let’s make one thing clear – we will be glad to see you in our European family, as a member of the European Union. Georgia is a European, pluralistic and democratic country with a diverse political spectrum, a vibrant civil society and a rich media landscape, and Georgia has received the status of a candidate country for the European Union in 2023. The door is open and will stay open. That is why the European Council reiterated its unwavering solidarity with the Georgian people and its readiness to continue supporting Georgians on the path to a European future. Let’s also clarify – we expect the Georgian government to ensure free and fair elections. Georgians should be able to choose which future they want for themselves, their children and grandchildren. We hope that this will be a choice in favor of the European future of Georgia. The choice is yours. The future of Georgia is in your hands,” reads the statement.

The statement is signed by:

Hadja LAHBIB

Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade and Federal Cultural Institutions, Belgium

Martin DVOŘÁK

Minister for European Affairs, Czechia

Anna LÜHRMANN

Minister of State for Europe and Climate, Germany

Marie BJERRE

Minister for European Affairs, Denmark

Margus TSAHKNA

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Estonia

Joakim STRAND