Georgia has achieved a historic milestone in its European integration process, as the European Council granted it the candidate status on December 14, 2023. This decision recognizes the progress that Georgia has made in implementing reforms and fulfilling the criteria for EU membership. Georgia is now one step closer to its aspiration of joining the European Union.
What Does Candidate Status Mean for Georgia?
The candidate status is a formal recognition that a country is eligible to apply for EU membership and has the potential to meet the obligations of being a member state. It also opens the door for more cooperation and assistance from the EU in various fields, such as political dialogue, economic integration, trade, and sectoral policies.
The candidate status does not guarantee that a country will eventually join the EU, but it is a necessary precondition for starting the accession negotiations. The negotiations are a complex and lengthy process that require the candidate country to align its legislation and policies with the EU standards, known as the acquis communautaire. The negotiations are divided into 35 chapters, covering different areas of the EU law.
The candidate status also entails some obligations for the country, such as respecting the EU values and principles, cooperating with the EU institutions and other candidate countries, and informing the EU about any major developments in its domestic and foreign policy.
How Did Georgia Achieve the Candidate Status?
Georgia has been pursuing its European integration since it gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. It signed the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the EU in 1996, which established the legal basis for bilateral relations. In 2004, Georgia joined the European Neighbourhood Policy, which aimed to strengthen the ties between the EU and its neighbours. In 2009, Georgia became part of the Eastern Partnership, a regional initiative that offered more opportunities for political association and economic integration with the EU.
In 2014, Georgia signed the Association Agreement with the EU, which included a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). The agreement entered into force in 2016, and since then, Georgia has been implementing a wide range of reforms to harmonize its legislation and institutions with the EU norms. The agreement also established the Association Council, the Association Committee, and the Parliamentary Association Committee, as the main platforms for political dialogue and cooperation between Georgia and the EU.
In 2017, Georgia achieved another important milestone, as the EU granted it visa-free travel for its citizens. This decision was based on the successful implementation of the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan, which required Georgia to adopt reforms in areas such as border management, migration, asylum, security, and human rights. The visa-free regime has facilitated the mobility and people-to-people contacts between Georgia and the EU, as well as boosted tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.
In 2019, Georgia submitted its application for the candidate status, expressing its readiness and commitment to take the next step in its European integration. The European Commission assessed Georgia’s application and issued a positive opinion in 2020, recommending the European Council to grant the candidate status to Georgia. The European Council, which consists of the heads of state or government of the EU member states, made the final decision on December 14, 2023, after consulting with the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
How Did Georgia Celebrate the Candidate Status?
The decision of the European Council was welcomed with joy and pride by the Georgian government and people, who saw it as a historic achievement and a reward for their efforts and sacrifices. The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, thanked the EU leaders for their support and trust, and called the candidate status a “gift” for the Georgian people. He also invited the citizens to join him at the Freedom Square in Tbilisi, the capital city, to celebrate the occasion.
Thousands of people gathered at the Freedom Square, waving the Georgian and the EU flags, and singing the national and the European anthems. The Prime Minister addressed the crowd, saying that the candidate status was the result of the work and the fight of the Georgian people and government for many months. He also said that Georgia was determined to continue its reforms and fulfill its obligations, in order to achieve its ultimate goal of becoming a full-fledged member of the EU family.
The celebration was also attended by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, who congratulated Georgia on its remarkable achievement and praised its dedication and resilience. He also reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to support Georgia’s European integration and to strengthen the partnership and friendship between the two sides.
The candidate status was also celebrated in other cities and regions of Georgia, as well as by the Georgian diaspora abroad. Many people expressed their happiness and optimism on social media, using the hashtags #GeorgiaEUcandidate and #WeAreEuropeans.
