Georgia, a small country in the Caucasus region, has achieved a major milestone in its European integration process. On December 14, 2023, the European Council granted Georgia the status of a candidate for European Union membership, recognizing its progress and aspirations. This decision has been hailed as a historic victory for Georgia and a strategic move for the EU, as it reflects both the meritocratic nature and the geopolitical dimension of the EU enlargement policy. In this article, we will explore some of the practical aspects and implications of this decision for Georgia, the EU, and the wider region.
A Recognition of Georgia’s Reforms and Achievements
The decision to grant Georgia the candidate status is a clear acknowledgment of the efforts and achievements of the Georgian government and society in implementing the reforms and fulfilling the conditions set by the EU. Georgia has emerged as a leader in Western-style free market principles and governance, ranking ahead of all EU candidate countries and some EU and NATO member states in various reputable worldwide indices. For instance, the World Justice Projects Rule of Law Index 2023 ranks Georgia 34th out of 128 countries, while the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom 2023 ranks Georgia 12th out of 180 countries.
Georgia has also demonstrated its commitment and alignment with the EU values and interests, especially in the context of the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian War, which prompted Georgia to expedite its application for EU membership from 2024 to March 2022. Georgia has been a reliable partner and contributor to the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy, participating in several EU-led missions and operations. Georgia has also been a beneficiary of the EU’s support and solidarity, receiving financial assistance, trade preferences, visa liberalization, and political backing for its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
A Strategic Counterattack by the EU in the Eurasian Space
The decision to grant Georgia the candidate status is also a sign of the EU’s intention to abandon the so-called “deaf defense” and move to a “strategic counterattack” in the complex Eurasian space, where Russia has been challenging the EU’s influence and values. By supporting Georgia’s European aspirations, the EU is sending a strong message to Russia and other actors that it is ready to take (co)responsibility for the future of this region and to defend its interests and principles. The EU is also showing its unity and coherence in taking decisions of principle, despite the internal challenges and divergences that it faces.
The decision to grant Georgia the candidate status is also a part of the EU’s broader strategy of strengthening its relations with its Eastern partners, namely Ukraine and Moldova, which also received the candidate status on the same day. The EU is aiming to create a “ring of friends” around its borders, based on shared values, interests, and cooperation. The EU is also seeking to diversify its energy sources and routes, and to enhance its connectivity and resilience in the face of global challenges and threats.
A New Phase of Opportunities and Challenges for Georgia and the EU
The decision to grant Georgia the candidate status is not the end of the road, but the beginning of a new phase of opportunities and challenges for both Georgia and the EU. Georgia will have to continue its reform process and meet the criteria for opening and closing the accession negotiations, which will cover 35 chapters of the EU acquis. Georgia will also have to maintain its public support and political consensus for the European integration, and to cope with the possible pressure and interference from Russia and other external factors.
The EU, on the other hand, will have to prepare itself for the eventual enlargement to include Georgia and other candidates, which will require institutional and financial adjustments, as well as political will and public acceptance. The EU will also have to balance its enlargement policy with its neighborhood policy, and to ensure that its relations with other regions and partners are not affected by its engagement with the Eastern partners. The EU will also have to deal with the challenges and uncertainties posed by the global and regional developments, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate change, the migration crisis, the rise of China, and the role of the US.
The decision to grant Georgia the candidate status for EU membership is a historic decision with multiple implications for Georgia, the EU, and the wider region. It is a recognition of Georgia’s reforms and achievements, a strategic counterattack by the EU in the Eurasian space, and a new phase of opportunities and challenges for both sides. It is also a testament to the enduring appeal and relevance of the European project, and a hope for a better future for the people of Georgia and Europe.
