Georgia’s positive macroeconomic indicators cannot compensate for fundamental democratic shortcomings in its EU integration process, Zaza Shengelia, Researcher at EPRC and the Executive Editor of The American Purpose – Georgia has said.
Speaking on TV programme Analitics during a discussion titled “EU Enlargement – Is the Window of Opportunity Closing for Georgia?”, Shengelia criticised Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s recent interview with Euronews, in which he highlighted Georgia’s economic performance. He described the remarks as a rhetorical tactic, arguing that the Prime Minister failed to address the critical questions put to him.
Shengelia said the interview had been an opportunity to partially repair the damage to Georgia’s European prospects over the past three years, but that the opportunity had been missed. He stressed that the EU prioritises fundamental values, including democracy and human rights, when assessing countries’ progress towards membership.
“Even if an economic miracle were to happen, it could never replace the fundamental problems Georgia currently faces,” Shengelia said, adding that the EU’s structural funds are specifically designed to help candidate countries improve their economic performance and meet accession criteria.
He also noted that the European Commission’s enlargement report continues to highlight unresolved problems that have brought Georgia’s EU integration process to a standstill, stressing that economic achievements cannot serve as a substitute for addressing democratic shortcomings.
