The European Commission said in its 4 November report that Georgia’s EU accession process is effectively stopped, citing a further decline in democracy and making no new recommendations on accession negotiation chapters except in areas that need fundamental reforms.
The report says Georgia still falls short of the nine steps linked to its candidate status. It says democratic institutions weakened and power became more concentrated during the reporting period. It describes greater pressure on civil and political freedoms and less room for civic activity.
It reports hostile anti-EU rhetoric and disinformation. The Commission expressed concern about a court case seeking to ban major opposition parties. It said the case threatened the foundations of democracy.
The Commission also noted that Georgia had not fully aligned with EU sanctions against Russia. It warned that Georgia will continue to miss out on the benefits of candidate status and the pre-accession process unless the authorities change course and recommit to the principles behind EU accession. The assessment describes Georgia as a candidate country “in name only.”
It says the EU’s support for Georgia’s sovereignty and the European aspirations of its people remains unchanged.