In June 2014, the EU and Georgia signed an Association Agreement (AA), which entered into force on 1 July 2016. This, along with the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), builds a foundation for far-reaching Georgia’s political and economic integration with the EU. The joint objectives are promotion of democracy and the rule of law, human rights, good governance and economic development. The AA institutional framework establishes bodies such as the Association Council to oversee its application, with the Association Agenda defining priorities necessary for its implementation. Until 2022, the EU issued annual implementation reports to document the steps undertaken by Georgia in implementation of the AA/DCFTA.

The AA is itself an outcome of the EU's European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), an important part of the EU’s foreign policy aimed at enhancing the prosperity, stability and security of an enlarged EU and its neighbours. The launch of the EU’s Eastern Partnership (EaP) in 2009, which includes Georgia, extended cooperation and further highlighted the importance of the region. As well as bolstering reforms, the EaP works towards greater mobility of citizens and stronger collaboration in a number of sectors, such as transport, energy and the environment.

On 3 March, 2022, Georgia submitted its application for membership of the European Union. On 23 June 2022, the European Council recognised the European perspective for Georgia and expressed readiness to grant the status of a candidate country once the 12 priorities specified in the Commission’s opinion on Georgia’s membership application have been addressed.

On 8 November 2023, the European Commission recommended that that European Council grants Georgia the status of a candidate country. The Commission published Report on Georgia together with Key Findings and issued 2023 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy which outlines 9 steps to be taken by Georgia.

On 14 December 2023, the European Council decided to grant the status of candidate country to Georgia, on the understanding that the relevant steps set out in the Commission’s recommendation of 8 November 2023 are taken.

Half a year after Georgia received the status of the candidate country, on 27 June 2024, the European Council announced that the EU accession process for Georgia is “de facto halted”, due to backsliding on the steps set out in the Commission’s recommendation for candidate status, in particular, the adoption of the law on transparency of foreign influence. On 17 October 2024, the European Council recalled that the EU accession process for Georgia was stopped and called on Georgia to adopt democratic, comprehensive and sustainable reforms, in line with the core principles of European integration.

On 30 October 2024, the European Commission published the second Enlargement Report on Georgia (extract on Georgia) and issued its 2024 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy (extract on Georgia). On this occasion, the Commission has noted that the granting of the candidate status to Georgia in December 2023 has not been followed by sufficient political commitment of the authorities to implement the necessary reforms for the country’s progress on the European path. In particular, the report showed that Georgia has made insignificant progress on the implementation of the nine steps. Unless Georgia reverts the current course of action, which jeopardises its EU path, and demonstrates tangible efforts to address outstanding concerns and key reforms, the Commission will not be in a position to consider recommending opening negotiations with Georgia.

The EU remains firmly committed to its policy of supporting Georgia’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders as well as engagement with the breakaway occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, in support of longer-term conflict resolution. Since 2008, an EU Monitoring Mission has operated in the vicinity of the administrative boundary lines. On 1 October 2023, EUMM marked its 15^th year of presence in Georgia.

Useful links on EU Enlargement: https://euneighbourseast.eu/enlargement/; https://eu4georgia.eu/eu-enlargement/ 

The EU is a climate leader with the objective of reaching climate neutrality by 2050. In Georgia, the EU supports efforts to tackle and adapt to climate change, through EU4Climate, among others and financing numerous infrastructure investments contributing to the reduction of GHG emissions.

The EU also promotes and accelerates the global transition of the energy sector. To this end, the EU supports Georgian efforts to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment, through investing in energy efficiency rehabilitation of hundreds of public buildings.

Biodiversity is essential for life, providing us with food, health and medicine, materials, recreation, and wellbeing. In this area, the EU supports Georgia in the development of protected areas and in the protection of water resources through the development of water sanitation infrastructure and the provision of equipment to monitor quality and flows.

The EU has been working to improve natural resource management and towards a climate-neutral, resource-efficient and circular economy for many years. In Georgia, the EU supports improved waste management, policy development like the Extended Producer Responsibility, a sustainable packing industry through cluster development, etc.  

The transition towards sustainable food systems is a key component of the green transition, ensuring social, environmental and economic sustainability. The EU supports Georgia’s work in this field under the ENPARD programme(s).

The EU is supporting Georgia with expertise to bring environmental legislation closer to EU standards and is also directly supporting the development of natural parks, improvement of air quality, unlocking opportunities for greener growth, improving waste management and water infrastructure, and setting mechanisms to better manage environmental risks and impacts. The EU is funding numerous infrastructure projects in the sectors of Water Supply and Sanitation, Waste management and eco-friendly transports. This common work together also directly contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fighting Climate change.

In the energy sector, the EU is working on alignment with key EU energy legislation, development of energy infrastructure and connectivity, and promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy. The EU is investing in energy efficiency rehabilitation of hundreds of public buildings, this helps reducing energy bills, contributes to environmental protection and helps to create better conditions for building users.

The Association Agreement concluded in 2016, and the Association Agenda 2021-2027 guides EU-Georgia cooperation on human rights and democracy.

While a culture of human rights still has to take firm root throughout the country, there has been significant progress in the field of human rights and democracy. Important electoral and judicial reforms have taken place, which has created a more solid legal basis for the democratic consolidation of the country, although important challenges remain in both areas.

EU support to human rights, democracy and rule of law is particularly directed towards transparency and inclusiveness of the electoral process, independence and impartiality of the judiciary, gender equality and LGBTI rights, rights of persons belonging to minorities, rights of persons with disabilities and labour rights.

Global Gateway is fully aligned with the UN’s Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals, as well as with the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Global Gateway aims to mobilise globally up to €300 billion in investments. By September 2024, the EU leveraged EUR 2.1 billion in public and private investments for Georgia in the framework of Global Gateway under the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP).

Through a 'Team Europe approach', Global Gateway brings together the EU, its Member States and their financial and development institutions to mobilise the private sector to leverage investments for a transformational impact.

Global Gateway covers five main themes (digital, climate and energy, transport, health, education and research).

In Georgia, Global Gateway is implemented mainly through the following six flagships, which are included in the economic and Investment Plan:

Georgia Flagship 1 - Black Sea Connectivity

Black Sea connectivity is the top priority for Georgia. The two projects under this Flagship for Georgia are also priority projects of Global Gateway.

a) Deploying a submarine optic fibre cable

The deployment of a submarine fibre optic cable -will further integrate the Georgian market with the EU, and people and businesses will benefit from a faster and more stable direct internet connection between Georgia and the EU. This optic fibre cable will create a direct connection between the South Caucasus and South-East Europe and will diversify the connection between Europe and Asia.

b) Deploying a submarine electricity cable

The Black Sea Submarine Cable (BSSC) project connecting Georgia with the EU is a priority for both the EU and Georgia. Studies on the exact cost of the investment and its economic and technical viability are ongoing.

Georgia Flagship 2 - Transport across the Black Sea – Improving physical connections between Georgia & EU

Both Georgia and the EU have declared transport connectivity across the Black Sea to be a priority. One step to closer ties between Georgia and the EU Member States is increasing and reinforcing direct transport connections across the Black Sea. Among other things, this flagship involves developing new ferry/feeder services and refurbishing ports, including making them more energy efficient, which will promote trade in goods and facilitate the movement of people by creating a direct link with the EU Member States.

Georgia Flagship 3 - Economic Recovery – Supporting 80,000 SMEs to reap the full benefits of the DCFTA

This flagship provides support for 80.000 Georgian SMEs, including equity investments to accelerate their integration into wider EU value chains. This will contribute to the diversification of trade between the EU and Georgia. A significant part of the EU’s support goes to SMEs in the agri-food sector. For small producers and farmers, access to finance is as important as easy access to product testing in laboratories. In order to reap the full potential of the DCFTA, the private sector needs technical support to adapt to the DCFTA requirements e.g. sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures. There is a particular need for support to develop laboratory capacity for product testing. Therefore, the EU will also invest in flanking measures to develop the SPS/food-testing system.

Georgia Flagship 4 - Digital Connectivity for Citizens – Developing high-speed broadband infrastructure for 1,000 rural settlements

The development of high-speed broadband infrastructure for around 1,000 rural settlements and strengthened last-mile connectivity will reduce digital inequalities, including the rural-urban divide. This will contribute to economic development and recovery in line with Georgia’s ambition to position itself as a hub in the global digital economy.

Georgia Flagship 5 - Improved Air Quality - Cleaner Air for over 1 million People in Tbilisi

Air quality is a growing concern in Georgia. It particularly affects Tbilisi and other urban centres outside of the capital, especially post-industrial spaces.

The EU works on improving air quality monitoring in Georgia and its regions by installing air monitoring equipment and building capacities. Besides work to identify pollution sources, concrete investments will be made to improve the situation.

Georgia Flagship 6 - Energy efficiency in residential buildings

EU investments through regional and bilateral projects will enhance energy efficiency. Citizens will have lower energy costs and better quality of life through the reduction of energy poverty.

The EU is providing comprehensive assistance for the establishment of an energy efficiency framework in Georgia and for enabling the scaling-up of investments in energy efficiency. This will contribute to sustainable economic recovery, with a focus on vulnerable social groups, job creation, environment, climate change mitigation as well as increased resilience and energy security.

Further information on Global Gateway can be found at: Global Gateway - European Commission (europa.eu)