The Commission welcomes the reform efforts undertaken by Georgia in line with the

country’s constitution which envisages its integration into the EU as a priority for the

country. An overwhelming majority of Georgian citizens supports the country’s EU

accession process. Political depolarisation and more positive engagement by the ruling

party with opposition parties and civil society are needed to build consensus on matters of

national interest.

Georgia needs to step up its actions to counter disinformation and foreign information

manipulation and interference against the EU’s values and to improve its alignment rate

with the EU common foreign and security policy.

In relation to the twelve priorities specified in the European Commission Opinion of June

2022, Georgia has adopted legislative acts and policy actions on gender equality and on

fighting violence against women, on taking into account European Court of Human Rights

judgments in Court deliberations and on organised crime. It has appointed a new Public

Defender.

Certain procedural steps have been taken in Parliament to increase scrutiny by the

opposition. Building a strong cross-party political consensus would contribute to

addressing polarisation and accelerate Georgia’s European path. Amendments to

legislation and to parliamentary rules of procedure were adopted, in relation to the

functioning and accountability of state institutions and the electoral framework. Judicial

reform has included steps on accessibility to court decisions, reasoning for judicial

appointments, disciplinary measures for judges and the selection of Supreme Court

nominees but a holistic reform of the High Council of Justice is still needed. Georgia has

shared this legislation and several other core legal acts on the Election Code, Anti-

Corruption Bureau, Special Investigation Services, Personal Data Protection Service as

well as its action plan for de-oligarchisation with the Venice Commission for opinion. In

addition, it is important to establish a system of extraordinary integrity checks, with the

involvement of international experts, for all leading positions in the judiciary, and to

establish a system of effective assets declarations.

An action plan for de-oligarchisation, following a systemic approach, was adopted and the

“personalised” approach withdrawn. An Anti-corruption Bureau was set up. Georgia

increased international cooperation in the fight against organised crime. On media

pluralism, an opposition media director was released from prison following a Presidential

pardon, and Parliament adopted amendments to the Law on Broadcasting to align with EU

legislation. A strategy on the protection of human rights was adopted and an action plan

elaborated. A memorandum of cooperation between Parliament and some civil society

representatives was concluded to frame CSO involvement in policy-making processes.

In the light of the results achieved since June 2022, within the framework of the twelve

priorities and beyond, the Commission recommends that the Council grants Georgia the

status of a candidate country on the understanding that the following steps are taken:

• Fight disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference against
  
  the EU and its values.

• Improve Georgia’s alignment with the EU common foreign and security policy.

• Further address the issue of political polarisation, including through more inclusive
  
  legislative work with opposition parties in Parliament, notably on legislation related to
  
  Georgia’s European integration.

• Ensure a free, fair and competitive electoral process, notably in 2024, and fully
  
  address OSCE/ODIHR recommendations. Finalise electoral reforms, including
  
  ensuring adequate representation of the electorate, well in advance of election day.

• Further improve the implementation of parliamentary oversight notably of the security
  
  services. Ensure institutional independence and impartiality of key institutions,
  
  notably the Election Administration, the National Bank, and the Communications
  
  Commission.

• Complete and implement a holistic and effective judicial reform, including a
  
  comprehensive reform of the High Council of Justice and the Prosecutor’s Office,
  
  fully implementing Venice Commission recommendations and following a transparent
  
  and inclusive process.

• Further address the effectiveness and ensure the institutional independence and
  
  impartiality of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Special Investigative Service and the
  
  Personal Data Protection Service. Address Venice Commission recommendations
  
  related to these bodies, in an inclusive process. Establish a strong track record in
  
  investigating -  corruption and organised crime cases.

• Improve the current action plan to implement a multi-sectorial, systemic approach to
  
  deoligarchisation, in line with Venice Commission recommendations and following a
  
  transparent and inclusive process involving opposition parties and civil society.

• Improve the protection of human rights including by implementing an ambitious
  
  human rights strategy and ensuring freedom of assembly and expression. Launch
  
  impartial, effective and timely investigations in cases of threats against safety of
  
  vulnerable groups, media professionals and civil society activists, and bring organisers
  
  and perpetrators of violence to justice. Consult and engage with civil society, allowing
  
  for their meaningful involvement in legislative and policymaking processes and ensure
  
  they can operate freely.

Full text of 2023 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy