Georgia’s quest for European Union (EU) membership has gained momentum, with up to 90% of its 3.7 million people expressing strong support for accession. The blue and yellow European flags, symbols of hope and unity, adorn the streets of Tbilisi, reflecting the nation’s ardent desire to be part of the EU family. For many, the dream of embracing European values and freedom overshadows the historical influence of Russia, which held sway over the South Caucasus country for two centuries until the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991.
Giorgi Popiashvili, a 40-year-old art director, embodies this sentiment: “That’s probably my dream, to see Georgia as a part of the European family. We also love freedom… We’ve been fighting for our freedom for centuries.” However, while this enthusiasm is palpable, it alone cannot secure candidate status for Georgia in the EU. The ruling Georgian Dream party, which officially supports EU and NATO membership, faces scrutiny regarding its commitment to necessary reforms.
One thorny issue is the government’s conciliatory stance towards Russia, which has raised eyebrows in Brussels. A senior EU official involved in talks with aspiring member countries remarked, “In the case of Georgia, we have a government that is seemingly more interested in doing business with Russia than advancing on the EU path.” This concern is further exacerbated by Georgia’s perceived backward steps on key reforms, despite the EU’s reluctance to alienate a country that could otherwise fall under Moscow’s influence.
Foreign policy presents a significant hurdle, as Georgian Dream has sought to improve relations with Russia, a move that diverges from the EU’s stance. Although Moscow remains deeply unpopular among ordinary Georgians due to its role in supporting breakaway regions like Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgia has refrained from imposing sanctions on Russia, a step taken by the EU and Western nations. Additionally, Georgia has restored direct flights with Russia, which had been suspended in 2019.
While Georgia has made strides in various areas, including combatting corruption and improving its judiciary’s independence, challenges persist. The EU has emphasized the need for Georgia to reduce the political influence of wealthy tycoons, particularly Bidzina Ivanishvili, the country’s richest man and the founder of Georgian Dream. Furthermore, concerns have arisen regarding the party’s perceived authoritarianism, as exemplified by a bill targeting NGOs and media outlets receiving foreign funding as “foreign agents.” The bill, echoing a similar Russian law, was met with widespread protests in Tbilisi, prompting its withdrawal by the government.
The path to EU membership remains long and uncertain for Georgia. The upcoming EU summit’s outcome, set to occur on December 14-15, hinges in part on Georgia’s intertwined prospects with Ukraine. While some EU leaders, like Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, favor Georgia’s EU bid due to its conservative stance on social issues and diplomatic posture toward Russia, domestic power dynamics and democratic backsliding pose significant challenges. The risk of Georgia’s EU application paralleling Turkey’s—granted candidate status in 1999 but making minimal progress since—looms on the horizon.
In a country where conservative social attitudes persist, fueled in part by the influential Orthodox Church’s call for laws against LGBT “propaganda,” the road to EU membership may prove arduous. Nevertheless, for many Georgians, EU accession represents a promising path forward, offering opportunities to diversify export markets, especially in the crucial wine industry. As Tina Bakhtadze, a Georgian language teacher, aptly puts it, “For Georgia as a country, it’s becoming more and more developed as we proceed further to this goal.” The aspiration for EU membership remains unwavering, even amidst the intricate balancing act between European dreams and Russian tensions.