Marta Kos Says EU Enlargement Must Move Forward as Georgian Opposition Blames Georgian Dream for Georgia's Exclusion
By Messenger Staff
Thursday, August 27, 2026
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said the European Union will prepare for an October discussion by European leaders on enlargement, but did not include Georgia among the countries currently advancing toward EU membership.
Kos said the European Commission will present proposals in September on how the bloc should prepare for candidate countries approaching the end of accession negotiations.
She said the EU must address four areas before admitting new members: the impact of enlargement on existing members, reforms needed to keep the bloc functional, the ability of new members to strengthen Europe politically, economically and in security, and the need for candidates to demonstrate the rule of law and fulfill their commitments.
Kos also called for a more gradual approach to integration, saying candidate countries need greater access to the benefits of the EU before full membership.
"Benefits come in accordance with commitments and reforms," Kos said.
She described 2026 as a record year for enlargement, citing progress by Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, Moldova and Iceland. She said she wanted other candidate countries to join that group by demonstrating commitment to reforms and building trust with EU member states.
Tamar Kekenedze of the opposition Gakharia for Georgia party said Georgia's absence was the result of the Georgian Dream government's policies. She said the party, acting on Bidzina Ivanishvili's instructions, halted the country's EU integration two years ago.
"As long as the Georgian Dream remains in power in this country, Georgia's integration into the European Union has no future," Kekenedze said.
Grigol Gegelia, foreign secretary of Lelo - Strong Georgia, said Georgia had now lost its place on the EU enlargement agenda and was increasingly isolated from discussions shaping the region's security architecture.
"This is a direct result of the 'Georgian Dream' policy," Gegelia said.
The Georgian Dream party rejected the criticism. Archil Gorduladze, chairman of parliament's Legal Affairs Committee, accused the EU of applying political double standards toward Georgia and said Brussels was ignoring the country's progress.
He also criticized Kos for raising concerns about Georgia while, in his view, overlooking Georgia's geographic importance.
"Just as Georgia needs the European Union, at this moment the EU may need Georgia even more, given our geographical location," Gorduladze said.
