EU Commission assessment
The EU Commission said Georgia’s accession process remains de facto halted, leaving the country a candidate for membership "in name only." In its 2026 enlargement report, published Wednesday, the Commission reported that the situation in Georgia continued to deteriorate. This follows the June 2024 conclusion by the EU Council that the Georgian government’s actions effectively halted the accession process. Georgia received candidate status in December 2023, though authorities announced in November 2024 that they would not pursue EU accession negotiations until 2028.
The Commission reported that the state of democracy continued to deteriorate during the reporting period because of a growing erosion of democratic institutions, an increased concentration of power, an escalating crackdown on civil and political liberties, and a shrinking of the civic space. Most opposition leaders now face criminal charges, exile, or imprisonment, while the executive branch continues to increase its power. The Commission also noted that the Constitutional Court’s handling of cases threatens to ban major opposition parties. Georgia continues to fall short of the nine specific steps set out in the recommendation for granting the country candidate status. The Commission also raised concerns regarding the restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
| Aspect | EU Assessment |
|---|---|
| Accession status | De facto halted |
| Membership status | Candidate "in name only" |
| Economic preparation | Moderately prepared |
| Reporting period | Sept 2025 – Sept 2026 |
Democratic and legal concerns include:
- The judiciary lacks independence, impartiality, and integrity.
- The State Audit Office absorbed the preventive functions of the abolished Anti-Corruption Bureau.
- Law enforcement officers face allegations of excessive use of force.
- Journalists and media outlets face harassment, intimidation, and attacks.
The Commission noted some economic progress, assessing Georgia as moderately prepared in establishing a functioning market economy. However, the Commission warned that job creation remains limited despite strong economic growth and significant structural weaknesses. The Commission also called on the authorities to release all arbitrarily detained people, including politicians, journalists, and activists, to repeal legislation restricting fundamental rights, and to investigate allegations of excessive use of force by law enforcement officers.
Georgia’s response and diplomatic tension
Georgia’s Foreign Ministry rejected the Commission’s assessment, accusing the EU of using factual inaccuracies to reinforce "anti-Georgian narratives." The ministry argued the EU failed to hold meetings with Georgia under the EU – Georgia Association Agreement during the reporting period, which the ministry says limited the ability to assess progress. This lack of communication follows the EU Council’s June 2024 conclusions, which the ministry claims prevented meetings at all levels. The ministry also accused the Commission of attempting to interfere in internal affairs by politicizing legal matters. It rejected the characterization of government actions as "state capture," arguing instead that governing the country is the responsibility of a government elected by the people. The ministry criticized the report for describing Georgian politicians’ responses to actions directed against the country as hostile rhetoric, calling it an attack on freedom of expression.
EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski said the situation in Georgia deteriorated further over the last year due to democratic backsliding and restrictions on fundamental rights. He stressed that Georgia’s European path remains open if the authorities change course and recommit to democracy. Herczynski reiterated that support for the European aspirations of the Georgian people remains unchanged.
Herczynski dismissed the Georgian government’s calls for dialogue when answering a question from the television station Pirveli. He questioned whether the EU should discuss the "so-called ‘deep state’" or the "Global War Party." He stated that this "smear campaign must stop" before the EU can resume dialogue with the country.
