
The European Union is a steadfast partner of the people of Georgia in the pursuit of democracy.
Georgia’s status as an EU candidate country should be a driver for the EU’s continued democratic engagement. Unfortunately, Georgia’s EU accession process is de facto halted because of democratic backsliding by the Georgian authorities. This is noted in the 2024 Enlargement Report (extract on Georgia).
Civic participation lies at the heart of a strong democracy. The EU actively supports citizen engagement and participation. The EU also supports independent election observation missions, both international and domestic.
Strengthening justice and the rule of law are crucial components of the European Union enlargement process. They are part of the “fundamentals” and the common values on which the EU is built.
As a consistent advocate of judicial independence, impartiality and accountability, the European Union has provided financial and technical assistance to reform the justice system and enhance anti-corruption mechanisms.
The EU also actively supports the fight against corruption and organised crime in Georgia, both at national and regional level, in close cooperation with its Member States.
The EU is a vocal champion of human rights in Georgia. The EU leads initiatives to combat discrimination and hate speech, promote gender equality and social inclusion, and protect the rights of minorities and Georgia’s most vulnerable groups.
From combating domestic violence to crime prevention, the EU partners with civil society and international organisations to build safer and more resilient communities. The EU works on improving school safety, drug use prevention and rehabilitation, and strengthening accountability.
The EU is a strong supporter of Georgia’s media freedom and development, as well as media literacy, for an engaged and informed public. The EU provides assistance to independent media outlets, safeguarding freedom of expression, advocates for the protection of journalists, and equips young people and teachers with the skills to better identify disinformation.
Civil society plays a vital role in any democratic processes, as well as in Georgia’s EU integration. The EU is a steadfast supporter of civil society organisations (CSOs) and provides funding and technical assistance to CSOs working on a wide range of issues, including human rights, freedom of expression, civic education, and advocacy.
The European Union firmly stands by the citizens of Georgia, supporting their democratic and European aspirations.
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