Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Presents Report on Georgia's Progress
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, June 23, 2023
Following an informal meeting of European Union ministers in Stockholm, Olivér Várhelyi, the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, delivered a report. Várhelyi acknowledged that Georgia has successfully implemented three recommendations. These include promoting gender equality and combatting violence against women, considering the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights during the judicial review process, and appointing the public defender through a transparent process.
In terms of the remaining recommendations, Georgia has made some progress on seven of them. These areas include overcoming political polarization, ensuring the full functioning of state institutions, reforming the judicial system, strengthening the fight against corruption, combating organized crime, protecting vulnerable groups and human rights, and involving civil society in decision-making processes.
However, there is still work to be done. Georgia has made little progress in deoligarchization and has not made any progress in ensuring the free, professional, and independent functioning of pluralistic media. Várhelyi emphasized the need for effective parliamentary work, strengthening parliamentary oversight, and reforming the Central Election Commission. He also stressed the importance of an independent anti-corruption agency and the protection of freedom of assembly and expression.
Regarding deoligarchization, Várhelyi stated that the law should not be adopted in its current form and a systematic approach should be used, in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission.
In terms of media, Georgia is urged to adopt a law that ensures the safety of media representatives and journalists to address the lack of progress in this area.
Várhelyi, the European Commissioner, recommended that the Georgian authorities expedite the implementation of reforms in all areas. He emphasized that the issue of enlargement is currently one of the top priorities for the European Union. Várhelyi encouraged all countries aspiring to join the EU to seize this window of opportunity and make the most of it.
The European Commissioner stressed that now is a unique opportunity, and the government should accelerate its efforts in all directions to ensure a comprehensive report on Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova can be presented in October. According to him, The European Union is ready to provide assistance, but it is crucial for all requirements to be met.
The European Commissioner advised Georgia not to focus on the fact that it does not yet have the status of a candidate, unlike Moldova and Ukraine. Instead, he urged the country to concentrate on its own progress and fulfill the recommendations set for the country. Olivér Várhelyi emphasized that granting a European perspective to Georgia was a strong and significant message in itself, and Georgia should make use of it. He encouraged Georgia to focus on what it can do to move forward rather than comparing itself to others.
