Georgia’s EU Membership Talks Halted Due to Controversial Law
Georgia’s path to European Union membership has hit a major roadblock. The EU has frozen some of its financial support to Georgia and halted the country’s accession process due to a new law passed by the Georgian government.
Background
The Georgian government recently adopted a law on "foreign influence," which critics claim is an attempt to curb democratic freedoms. The law requires media organizations, non-governmental groups, and other non-profit organizations to register if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. The EU has denounced the law as undemocratic and says it would hinder Georgia’s path to EU membership.
EU’s Response
The EU Ambassador in Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, said that the decision to halt the accession process was made during the last European Council summit. Herczynski added that the EU would redirect its support from the government to civil society and the media.
Consequences
The consequences of the halted accession process are significant. A total of 30 million euros ($32.5 million) in financial support earmarked for Georgia’s Defense Ministry in 2024 has been frozen. The EU has also decided to limit its direct support to the Georgian government and will redirect it to civil society and the media.
Georgia’s Reaction
Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili called the EU’s decision "very difficult messages from two of our closest friends" that are "worth listening to." She acknowledged that the moves were a response to the country’s government’s policies and warned society that the choice is between a secure European future and moving towards the Russian orbit.
Background to the Law
The law on "foreign influence" was adopted despite weeks of protests. The opposition has denounced the bill as "the Russian law" because Moscow uses similar legislation to stigmatize independent news media, organizations, and individuals critical of the Kremlin. The EU has repeatedly condemned the law, saying it would hinder Georgia’s path to EU membership.
Path to EU Membership
Georgia’s path to EU membership is not an easy one. The country needs to fight disinformation, bring its foreign and security policies in line with the EU’s, and introduce new justice reforms, among other measures. Membership talks did not begin due to the lack of a negotiating mandate. The EU and Georgia need to agree on a mandate, conduct a screening procedure, and launch an intergovernmental conference to officially start talks.
FAQs
Q: Why did the EU halt Georgia’s accession process?
A: The EU halted the process due to Georgia’s adoption of a new law on "foreign influence" that critics claim is an attempt to curb democratic freedoms.
Q: What are the consequences of the halted accession process?
A: The EU has frozen 30 million euros ($32.5 million) in financial support earmarked for Georgia’s Defense Ministry in 2024, and will limit its direct support to the Georgian government.
Q: What does Georgia need to do to regain its path to EU membership?
A: Georgia needs to fight disinformation, bring its foreign and security policies in line with the EU’s, and introduce new justice reforms, among other measures.
Q: What is the significance of the law on "foreign influence"?
A: The law requires media organizations, non-governmental groups, and other non-profit organizations to register if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. Critics claim it is an attempt to stigmatize independent news media, organizations, and individuals critical of the government.
Author: fortune.com
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