(Brussels) Georgia’s accession process to the EU has stopped “de facto”, after the adoption by Tbilisi of Russian-inspired laws deemed contrary to European values, indicated the leaders of the Twenty-Seven gathered at a summit in Brussels on Thursday.
European heads of state and government “call on the Georgian authorities to clarify their intentions by reversing the current course of their actions, which jeopardizes [the country’s] path towards the EU, leading to a de facto halt in the process of accession” to the EU, according to the summit conclusions.
Georgia, which obtained the status of candidate country to join the EU in December, passed a series of laws deemed contrary to European values.
The Georgian authorities notably promulgated a text on “foreign influence” on June 3, inspired by a repressive Russian law, which sparked massive demonstrations in Tbilisi for weeks and strong criticism from Western countries.
Inspired by a repressive Russian law, it requires NGOs and media outlets receiving at least 20% of their funding from abroad to register within 60 days as an “organisation serving the interests of a foreign power” and submit to increased administrative control.
On Thursday, the Georgian Parliament passed a first reading of a bill banning “LGBT propaganda,” very similar to legislation used in Russia to repress sexual minorities.
The head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell had already warned Georgia on Monday that the door to the EU could close if it did not change its policy.