Brussels Indicates EU Candidate's Accession Process 'De Facto Halted'
EU officials have charged Tbilisi with impeding the advancement of Georgia's bid to join the bloc. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Georgia’s pursuit of EU membership hinges on the upcoming general election, as stated by the EU’s top diplomat.
The European Council has indicated that Georgia's current trajectory “jeopardizes” its membership prospects and “de facto halts the accession process.”
The post-Soviet nation submitted its formal application for EU membership in March 2022 but has recently enacted several controversial policies, including a requirement for NGOs and media organizations that receive foreign funding to register. These changes have sparked significant backlash from Western countries.
EU foreign relations chief Josep Borrell emphasized the connection between Georgia’s EU aspirations and the results of the October 26 election during a press conference following a European Council meeting on Thursday. He noted, ”The next election will be the moment of truth and the Georgian people will have to decide which way they want to go: towards Europe or getting away from Europe,” adding that “it is the future of the country which is at stake.”
The European Council issued a statement expressing its expectations for the upcoming election to be “free and fair, in line with international standards and with unhindered access for international and domestic election observers.”
Georgia formally applied for EU membership in March 2022, and the Council has urged the country to implement “democratic, comprehensive and sustainable reforms, in line with the core principles of European integration.”
Per the Georgian election authority, 64 international organizations have received credentials to monitor the national election, surpassing the previous high of 62 monitoring groups registered in 2008.
The “foreign agents” law, which Tbilisi claims is similar to legislation in the US, took effect in early June. Lawmaker Shalva Papuashvili reported that 156 foreign-funded organizations have completed their registration under the new law, with approximately 300 additional applications currently under review by the Justice Ministry. He contrasted this with the 136 groups seeking to challenge the law by filing complaints with the European Court of Human Rights.
The Georgian Dream party is aiming for another term in power, forecasting an increase in its parliamentary majority due to strong public support. The opposition is receiving backing from outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili, whose term will conclude in mid-December.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
The European Council has indicated that Georgia's current trajectory “jeopardizes” its membership prospects and “de facto halts the accession process.”
The post-Soviet nation submitted its formal application for EU membership in March 2022 but has recently enacted several controversial policies, including a requirement for NGOs and media organizations that receive foreign funding to register. These changes have sparked significant backlash from Western countries.
EU foreign relations chief Josep Borrell emphasized the connection between Georgia’s EU aspirations and the results of the October 26 election during a press conference following a European Council meeting on Thursday. He noted, ”The next election will be the moment of truth and the Georgian people will have to decide which way they want to go: towards Europe or getting away from Europe,” adding that “it is the future of the country which is at stake.”
The European Council issued a statement expressing its expectations for the upcoming election to be “free and fair, in line with international standards and with unhindered access for international and domestic election observers.”
Georgia formally applied for EU membership in March 2022, and the Council has urged the country to implement “democratic, comprehensive and sustainable reforms, in line with the core principles of European integration.”
Per the Georgian election authority, 64 international organizations have received credentials to monitor the national election, surpassing the previous high of 62 monitoring groups registered in 2008.
The “foreign agents” law, which Tbilisi claims is similar to legislation in the US, took effect in early June. Lawmaker Shalva Papuashvili reported that 156 foreign-funded organizations have completed their registration under the new law, with approximately 300 additional applications currently under review by the Justice Ministry. He contrasted this with the 136 groups seeking to challenge the law by filing complaints with the European Court of Human Rights.
The Georgian Dream party is aiming for another term in power, forecasting an increase in its parliamentary majority due to strong public support. The opposition is receiving backing from outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili, whose term will conclude in mid-December.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
