Georgia's Struggle for Independence Stands as a Collective Battle Against Imperial Russian Dominance
Supporting Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Armenia isn't just about bolstering their individual standing; it's about fostering a stronger, more unified Europe.
The murky waters of international politics have been churning lately, with the US administration's decisions, peace talks in Ukraine, and European security issues hogging the limelight. Amidst this whirlwind, developments in Georgia, a member of the European Parliament, have taken a backseat. Riho Terras (Isamaa) and Rasa Juknevičienė, the European Parliament's permanent rapporteur on Georgia, rightfully point this out.
In the past few weeks, the EU has suspended the visa-free regime for Georgian holders of certain passports[1][5], a testament to strained relations between Georgia and the EU. This move comes in the wake of Georgia receiving EU candidate status in December 2023, a crucial step towards Euro-Atlantic integration[5]. However, the ruling party has stated it will not prioritize EU accession negotiations until 2028, a decision that has sparked widespread protests and further tension with the EU[5].
The protests in Georgia have been going on for nearly five months now, ignited by the government's decision to delay EU integration efforts. The political climate within the country is turbulent, with many citizens advocating for stronger European ties and democratic reforms[4][5]. Meanwhile, Georgia is also engaging in talks with Russia, despite a lack of diplomatic relations. Russian officials are emphasizing the need to focus on concrete outcomes rather than merely slogans when considering EU membership[5].
But Georgia's role isn't just limited to its domestic struggles and international relations. It's also playing a significant part in connecting European and Asian energy markets, and there are plans to update Georgia's nationally determined contributions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 47% by 2030[3].
In essence, Georgia's journey towards European integration is a complex one, fraught with democratic concerns, internal political strife, and intricate relationships with both the EU and Russia. As the world focuses on broader European security issues, it's crucial not to overlook Georgia's specific challenges and its potential contributions.
Rasa Jukneviciene, the European Parliament's permanent rapporteur on Georgia, along with Riho Terras (Isamaa), rightfully highlights the underrepresentation of Georgia's developments in the international political landscape. The EU's suspension of the visa-free regime for certain Georgian passport holders indicates strained relations, however, Georgia received EU candidate status in December 2023, a significant step towards Euro-Atlantic integration. The protests spurred by the government's delay in EU integration efforts reveal the country's turbulent political climate and the citizens' advocacy for stronger European ties and democratic reforms.
Despite the challenging domestic and international relations, Georgia plays a crucial role in connecting European and Asian energy markets and has plans to update its nationally determined contributions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 47% by 2030. Thus, Georgia's journey towards European integration involves a complex intersection of democratic concerns, internal political strife, and intricate relationships with both the EU and Russia, underscoring the need for continuous corporate attention.
