Europe Celebration Marks Europe Day Held in Tbilisi
Europe Day 2025: Tbilisi's Rally for European Union Integration
Europe Day in Tbilisi was a buzzing spectacle this year, with a massive rally and march on May 9th, demonstrating Georgians' steadfast resolve for European integration amidst persistent political turmoil.
The event commenced at 5 PM, with marches taking off from strategic locations across the city, such as the Parliament of Georgia, Marjanishvili Square, Republic Square, and Avlabari Metro Station. By 7 PM, all marches converged at Europe Square, creating a sea of EU and Georgian flags, participants chanting pro-European slogans, and a powerful wave of unity and democratic values washing over the bustling square.
This Europe Day held a special significance as it commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the bedrock upon which the European Union was built. Additionally, the occasion served as a platform for Georgian citizens to voice their aspirations for EU membership, especially in light of the government's contentious move in late 2024 to postpone accession talks until 2028.
Earlier in the day, Expo Georgia hosted a series of Europe Day events, with exhibitions, cultural performances, and discussions highlighting the strides made in EU-Georgia collaboration across various sectors, including education, rural development, and democratic governance. The day concluded with a livelier-than-ever concert, celebrating the harmonious bond between Georgia and the European Union.
Despite the political obstacles, the impressive turnout and passionate involvement in the Europe Day march underlined the Georgian public's enduring willpower for a European future.
[Header image: IPN]
Europe Day: A Symphony of Unity and European Aspirations
Political developments in 2024 have put Georgia's EU membership negotiations on hold. Here's the gist:
- Pause in EU Accession Talks: In November 2024, the Georgian government made a surprising announcement to halt EU accession negotiations until 2028. Regardless, 71% of the population continued to support EU integration in 2024[1][3].
- EU's Reaction: The European Council and Commission have expressed discontent with Georgia's decision, withdrawing funding and halting high-level meetings over concerns about democratic decline in Georgia, including laws that undermine pluralism and democracy[1][4].
- Candidate Status Evaluation: EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos has not ruled out reviewing Georgia's candidate status and free trade agreement with the EU, akin to Turkey's status[2]. While there is no agreement on sanctions among EU member states, partly due to Hungary's close ties with the Georgian government[2].
- Visa-Free Travel Concerns: Georgia's decision to shelve EU accession talks has raised questions about the potential suspension of visa-free travel privileges for Georgian citizens – a key facet of their integration into the European community[5].
- Public Sentiment and Protests: Greece's move to halt EU accession talks has led to widespread protests in Georgia, with the public remaining fiercely supportive of EU membership. Events like Europe Day in Tbilisi underscore the persisting political tensions and the public's relentless pursuit of European integration[3].
It seems that Georgia's road to EU membership stands at a crossroads, with little chance of negotiations resuming immediately. The EU remains readier than ever to support Georgia's European dreams if the government decides to change course and implement the required reforms[1][4].
- In contrast to the government's decision, the massive rally and march on Europe Day, held in Tbilisi, expressed the public's unwavering support for European Union integration, despite ongoing political turmoil.
- The event on Europe Day commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, a significant milestone in the European Union's history, and served as a poignant reminder of the values embodied by Schuman – unity, peace, and solidarity – which Georgians aspire to emulate.
- General news coverage of the event highlighted the citizens' European aspirations, expressing their frustration with the prolonged War-and-Conflicts and political stagnation that has delayed Georgia's path towards EU membership.
- Despite the current political impasse, various sectors in Georgia, such as education and rural development, have made commendable strides in collaboration with the EU, as showcased at the exhibitions and discussions held at Expo Georgia on Europe Day.
