Georgia's Prime Minister Criticizes EU for "Double Standards," As Accession Process Stalls

On the streets of Tbilisi, blue and white EU flags clashed with the shields of riot police. The Georgian government's decision to suspend accession negotiations not only triggered months of protests at home but also thrust the small Caucasus nation into the forefront of global geopolitical wrangling.

On November 28, 2024, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the Georgian government would suspend EU accession negotiations until 2028 and would refuse any financial assistance from the EU.

Kobakhidze bluntly stated that the issue of EU accession negotiations was being used as a "tool of blackmail." This move led to weeks of large-scale protests in the capital, Tbilisi, with riot police using water cannon and tear gas to disperse demonstrators.

01 Accusations of Double Standards

Georgian Prime Minister Kobakhidze publicly criticized the EU for its "double standards" regarding Georgia's EU accession. Despite Georgia making greater efforts than other candidate countries in the EU accession process, the EU has tied Georgia's European integration efforts to its abandonment of traditional values ​​and its peaceful stance.

While Kobakhidze still considers EU accession a national priority, he also noted that "this injustice stems from the double standards of a European bureaucracy manipulated by external forces that do not want Georgia to achieve peace and success."

Georgia was not granted EU candidate status until December 2023, more than a year later than Ukraine and Moldova, which applied at the same time, despite Georgia's significantly higher level of development than these two countries.

02 The Foreign Influence Transparency Act was the trigger

The direct cause of the deterioration in Georgia-EU relations was Georgia's passage of the Foreign Influence Transparency Act in May 2024. The Act requires media outlets and non-governmental organizations that receive more than 20% of their funding from foreign sources to disclose their funding sources and register as "foreign-influenced institutions."

The EU strongly opposed the Act, arguing that it violated "democratic principles." In response, the EU suspended Georgia's accession process and froze €30 million in defense aid.

The United States also announced an indefinite suspension of NATO's "Noble Partner" joint military exercises with Georgia, imposed sanctions on several Georgian officials, and froze $95 million in aid to Georgia.

03 A Clash of Values

Kobakhidze strongly opposed the EU's position that Georgia's European integration process is tied to abandoning traditional values. He compared EU pressure to "medieval persecution" and even claimed that "Europe has fallen to a level lower than the Inquisition."

The prime minister cited historical precedent: "Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake for asserting that the Earth revolves around the Sun. Today, people are 'burned' for believing that men are men and women are women."

Kobakhidze specifically criticized the Venice Commission's recommendation to allow legal gender changes upon request, calling it "a disgrace, worse than the Inquisition."

04 Democratic Backsliding and Election Controversy

The European Union criticized the Georgian government for "serious democratic backsliding." In the fall of 2024, the Georgian Dream party declared victory after disputed parliamentary elections, a result largely rejected by the opposition.

In its October 2024 annual report, the European Commission declined to recommend accession negotiations with Georgia and called on Tbilisi to change its political course. The report stated that Georgia's elections were marred by significant irregularities, making them "neither free nor fair."

The European Parliament adopted a resolution alleging "serious irregularities" in Georgia's elections and called on Georgia to hold new parliamentary elections within a year under thorough international oversight and by an independent electoral administration.

05 Geopolitical Gameplay

Georgia's Prime Minister attributed the EU's stance to undue influence on EU institutions by "external forces" who allegedly do not support Georgia's success or regional peace.

Despite facing pressure, Kobakhidze emphasized that "when Georgia is asked to choose between EU membership and its core principles, it is a fundamentally flawed dilemma." "This country will not betray its values ​​in order to join the EU."

Georgia seeks to maintain a balance between East and West. Kobakhidze noted that "China, the EU, and the US are all Georgia's trading partners," and opposed the "double standards" of singling out China for trade with Georgia.

06 Domestic Divisions and Protests

Georgia is deeply divided over EU membership. According to a poll by the International Republican Institute in the United States, 86% of Georgians support EU membership to varying degrees.

Kobakhidze's announcement of a four-year suspension of EU accession proceedings sparked nationwide protests. Protests spread across cities across the country, from the capital Tbilisi to the Black Sea city of Poti.

Demonstrators even blockaded Poti's main port, attempting to increase pressure on the government. Riot police responded to the demonstrations with water cannon and tear gas, and hundreds of people were arrested for participating in the protests.

07 Consequences of Suspending the Accession Process

Kobakhidze's announcement to suspend EU accession negotiations sparked a wide range of reactions. In Georgia, thousands of pro-EU protesters blocked streets in the capital, Tbilisi, and clashed with police.

Protesters attempted to storm the Georgian Parliament and threw fireworks at police, prompting Georgian police to use water cannon, pepper spray, and tear gas to disperse the protesters. The Georgian Interior Ministry stated that three police officers were injured in the clashes.

Georgia's pro-European President Zurabishvili accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of "staging a coup." She declared, "The ruling party has waged a war against our future, our society, and our country. On this path, Georgia has no statehood, no independence, and no future."

Internationally, the EU has frozen relations with Georgia, refused to hold high-level meetings, suspended financial aid to Georgia, and halted its EU accession process. Five EU member states also imposed visa sanctions on approximately 200 Georgian government officials.

08 Future Outlook

Despite current tensions, Kobakhidze stated, "Our ultimate goal is Georgia's accession to the EU. We believe that by 2030, Georgia will be fully prepared for EU membership."

He emphasized that the new Georgian government's decision does not mean the end of Georgia's integration process with the EU. From an economic perspective, Georgia will be appropriately prepared to begin EU accession negotiations by the end of 2028.

Analysts believe that the Georgian Prime Minister's latest statement shows that Georgia's overall political and diplomatic will to join the EU has not changed. However, the Georgian authorities, currently facing internal and external challenges, are unable to resolve many deep-seated domestic conflicts in the short term and are therefore forced to press the "pause button" on EU integration.

The European Commission's annual report, released on October 30, 2024, stated that if Georgia does not change its course and respond to EU reform demands, the EU will not be able to consider opening accession negotiations.

But Georgia appears unyielding. Kobakhidze insisted in June 2025 that EU membership is the Georgian government's primary goal, but the pace of integration will depend on the EU's stance.

On this path to EU membership, Georgia is still trying to find a balance: maintaining national sovereignty and traditional values ​​while not abandoning the dream of European integration.