EU says Georgia must change course before EU membership talks can begin

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Commission on Wednesday told Georgia that it will not be able to recommend opening European Union membership talks with the country unless it changes course, while praising Ukraine and Moldova’s efforts to implement reforms in a challenging environment.

Georgia’s governing party, seen by many western governments as increasingly Moscow-friendly, won a parliamentary election on Saturday that was marred by reports of voting violations, as Moldova prepares for a presidential runoff election on Sunday that pits a pro-Western incumbent against a candidate backed by a traditionally pro-Russian party.

In an annual report on the bloc’s enlargement policy, the Commission reiterated that “Georgia’s accession process has de facto been halted” due to factors such as legislation that requires organisations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence and “strong anti-EU narratives.”

Pointing to international observers’ reports of voter intimidation and procedural inconsistencies in Georgia’s election, the Commission said there is a need for electoral reform and that “constructive and inclusive dialogue across the political spectrum is now paramount.”

“The EU remains committed to further deepen the partnership,” the report said, warning that “unless Georgia reverts the current course of action […] the Commission will not be in a position to consider recommending opening negotiations with Georgia.”

The report pointed to progress in Ukraine and Moldova, which began accession talks with the EU earlier this year, noting however that more work needs to be done.

“Despite progress on fundamental reforms, further efforts are needed,” the Commission said, regarding Ukraine’s process.

In Moldova, the Commission said additional efforts are necessary to implement a ‘deoligarchisation’ plan.

The Commission said it is “looking forward to the opening of negotiations on clusters, starting with the fundamentals, as soon as possible in 2025” for both countries if conditions are met.

(Reporting by Lili Bayer; Editing by Andrew Gray/Sudip Kar-Gupta)