The foreign minister of Germany declared on Thursday that the European Union should contemplate formally halting the accession process of Georgia due to the hostile stance of the ruling party towards the bloc and the country’s decline in democratic principles. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock noted that the Georgia Dream party’s alignment with Russia has stalled Georgia’s path towards EU membership. In her statement, she emphasized the necessity for the EU to deliberate on suspending Georgia’s accession process owing to the increasingly authoritarian direction taken by the Georgia Dream party.
Baerbock highlighted that the designation of EU candidate status in December 2023 was contingent upon specific commitments to reform. However, instead of progress, she pointed out a troubling regression in Georgia’s political landscape. The crackdown on peaceful pro-European demonstrators in Tbilisi and other areas has raised concerns about the erosion of democratic values in the country. As a response to these developments, the German government has decided to curtail its cooperation with Georgia and suspend support projects amounting to over €200 million ($208 million).
The actions of the Georgia Dream party not only jeopardize Georgia’s longstanding partnership with Germany but also have implications for its relationship with the broader European Union. Baerbock indicated that Germany is engaging in discussions with its EU counterparts regarding potential measures, which could encompass measures ranging from restricting visa-free travel for Georgian officials to implementing targeted sanctions.
The escalating crisis in Georgia has intensified the rift between the ruling party and the pro-Western opposition, particularly following the parliamentary election in October. The opposition has disputed the victory claimed by the Georgia Dream party and expressed outrage over the abrupt halt to the country’s EU accession negotiations. Violent dispersals of demonstrations, arbitrary detentions of activists, and attacks on opposition figures and media representatives have marred the country’s political landscape.
Several nations have already imposed sanctions on the leadership of Georgia, once considered a close ally of both the European Union and NATO. The deteriorating situation in Georgia has prompted international concern about the erosion of democratic norms and the rule of law in the country.
In conclusion, the stance taken by the Georgia Dream party has not only strained its relations with key European partners but has also raised significant doubts about the country’s commitment to democratic values and aspirations for EU membership. The European Union’s deliberation on suspending Georgia’s accession process underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for Georgia to reaffirm its dedication to democratic principles and reforms.
