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EU Ambassador Warns Georgia: Enlargement Report a 'Wake-Up Call'
The European Commission's 2025 enlargement report should serve as a "wake-up call" for Georgia, EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski said, warning that the country's recent democratic backsliding threatens its path to EU membership.
"EU enlargement is based on voluntary applications from countries that want to join. After that, the EU must decide on the application. As the EU, we have already made our decision. In December 2023, on one of the happiest days of my professional career, Georgia was granted candidate status," Herczynski said.
He added that developments since then represent a serious setback. "Over the past two years, there has been significant backsliding in democracy and human rights, as well as in the fundamental principles on which the EU is founded. The enlargement report is absolutely clear on this," he said.
The ambassador said the report is intended to prompt Georgian authorities to take corrective action. "If Georgia is serious about joining the EU, it needs to reverse course and get back on track. This is clearly stated in the Georgian Constitution and reflects the will of the majority of the population," Herczynski said.
He emphasized that the EU remains committed to Georgia's European path but warned that progress is in Georgia's hands. "We are here, we are not going anywhere, we have made our choice, the door is open. But Georgia, with its government, must walk through this door. I hope this will happen. This harsh, devastating report should be a wake-up call. Please get back on track for European integration," he said.
Papuashvili Rejects EU Report, Vows Continued European Path
Georgia will not yield to pressure or "blackmail" from the European Union, Georgian Dream Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said Tuesday, responding to the European Commission's 2025 enlargement report.
"Blackmailing and pressuring Georgia will not work. We are not going to give up. Georgia will continue to prepare the country for EU membership," Papuashvili said at a briefing, emphasizing the government's commitment to European integration.
He accused Brussels of hypocrisy, pointing to EU support for violent groups that attempted to storm the presidential palace on October 4. "Now Brussels is trying to play on values, while the Georgian government and people uphold real democracy and the rule of law - tolerance, respect for peace, and development," he said.
Papuashvili warned that the EU's approach risks discouraging countries from pursuing independent paths. "It is becoming increasingly clear that the aim of such an attitude on the part of Brussels is to make people give up on the EU integration process, so that, like Hungary, Slovakia, and now the Czech Republic, they do not accept another country that will not blindly obey Brussels' instructions and directives," he said.
He framed Georgia's struggle as part of a wider European revival. "We are seeing a real awakening in Europe, as countries elect governments and strategies that return the EU to its true value system, rejecting unjust interference in internal affairs, national values, and the will of the people," he said.
Papuashvili concluded by reaffirming Georgia's resolve. "We are going to fight injustice, expose the truth, and insist on fair treatment. We are going to do it to the end," he said.
