Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hosts EU Ambassadors to Discuss Georgia's EU Enlargement Steps
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia hosted representatives of the embassies of EU member states and partner countries on July 29, 2024. According to the Ministry's statement, a presentation was organized to discuss the implementation of the nine steps defined for Georgia in the European Commission's communication on enlargement policy, dated November 8, 2023.
"On July 29, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a presentation on the implementation of the nine steps defined for Georgia in the European Commission's communication on the enlargement policy of November 8, 2023. Ambassadors and representatives of embassies of EU member states accredited in Georgia and other partner states were invited to the meeting," the Ministry's statement reads.
After the meeting, Asuncion Sanchez Ruiz, Acting Head of the European Union Representation, noted the Council's conclusions, adopted by the 27 EU member states on June 27, which express the EU's concerns regarding developments in Georgia, particularly the "Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence." This law is seen as a step back for Georgia on its path to EU membership and threatens its candidate status. The leaders urged the Georgian government to amend this trend, which they argued could lead to the suspension of Georgia's EU accession process.
"As High Representative Josep Borrell stated, this was the official word: we have postponed and frozen 30 million euros from the European Peace Fund, reduced the number of high-level meetings, and are reviewing our aid to the government. Further statements will follow," said Sanchez Ruiz.
She emphasized that the European Union hopes the upcoming elections in Georgia will be free and fair. "The European Union is actively working for this country to become a member of the European Union. We stand by the Georgian people, who have expressed their desire to join the EU. We work for those Georgians who want to see this country in the European Union. We also hope that the upcoming elections will be free, fair, and competitive," Sanchez Ruiz added.
The Ministry's statement highlighted that the meeting also covered the progress Georgia has made on the nine steps outlined by the EU Commission. The presentation aimed to provide a comprehensive overview to the attending diplomats, reinforcing the importance of Georgia's path towards EU integration.
