On Thursday 27 June, the European Council is due to express its serious concern regarding recent developments in Georgia, in particular the law on transparency of foreign influence.
“The European Council calls on Georgia’s authorities to clarify their intentions by reversing the current course of action which jeopardises Georgia’s EU path and effectively halts the accession process”: this is the warning set to be given by EU leaders according to draft conclusions dated 25 June obtained by Agence Europe.
According to a European source, the aim is to send a strong message that should the trend continue, the European pathway can be reversed.
On Monday, at the end of the Foreign Affairs Council, the High Representative of the Union, Josep Borrell, threatened Georgian authorities with a set of measures (see EUROPE 13438/5). Leaders might discuss the nature of these measures but, according to several sources, some countries would like to wait before taking action.
The European Council is also set to call for an end to the “ increasing acts of intimidation, threats and physical assaults” against civil society representatives, political leaders, civil activists and journalists in Georgia. “It recalls that respect for the values and principles upon which the European Union is founded is essential for any country aspiring to become a member”, the draft conclusions state.
The EU27 are also set to call on Tbilisi to ensure that the parliamentary elections this autumn are free and fair.
Read the draft conclusions of the European Council here: https://aeur.eu/f/ctk (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with the editorial staff)