The Georgian government may be intentionally seeking a rejection of the EU candidate status, possibly with the intention of blaming Brussels for unreliability and doubting its genuine commitment to accepting Georgia, Rikard Jozwiak, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Brussels correspondent said in an article published on RFERL’s Georgian service.
Jozwiak says speculations that this indeed may be the case are being circulated in Brussels for the first time. Previously voiced by parts of the Georgian opposition, this view is getting traction with at least some EU officials.
Another part of the opposition, such as European Georgia, says Georgian Dream is very much interested in getting the status, but on its terms and is resorting to geopolitical blackmail of the union.
Jozwiak also says GD decision to start impeaching President Salome Zourabichvili over her intention to tour European capitals to raise support for Georgia’s candidacy was a complete surprise for Brussels, raising new questions.
“How many more goals are they going to score in their own net?!” - the journalist quotes an unnamed EU diplomat.
Against this background head of the EU’s diplomatic service, Joseph Borrell has arrived to Tbilisi meeting officials in what Jowziak describes as “last effort” in the run-up to the European Council’s decision on whether to grant Georgia a candidate status.
Reports have already circulated the EU would still grant Georgia the status despite its problematic record in meeting the 12 criteria set by the European Commission in 2022.
Jozwiak says it is most likely Georgia will be offered the status but with reservations. This means the country will be able to start accession talks only if those conditions – such as closer alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policy or fair conduct of the 2024 parliamentary elections - are fulfilled.
The journalist also said Hungary may demand the candidate status for Georgia in exchange for allowing the accession talks to start with Ukraine, adding an additional nuance.
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