(Brussels) Georgia’s accession process to the EU has stopped “de facto”, after the adoption by Tbilisi of Russian-inspired laws deemed contrary to European values, indicated the leaders of the Twenty-Seven gathered at a summit in Brussels on Thursday.
The European Heads of State and Government “call on the Georgian authorities to clarify their intentions by reversing the current course of their actions, which jeopardizes the path [du pays] towards the EU, leading de facto to a halt in the EU accession process, according to the summit conclusions.
Georgia, which in December obtained the status of candidate country to join the EU, has passed a series of laws deemed contrary to European values.
On June 3, the Georgian authorities promulgated a text on “foreign influence”, inspired by a repressive Russian law, which sparked massive demonstrations in Tbilisi for weeks and strong criticism from Western countries.
Inspired by a repressive Russian law, it requires NGOs and media outlets receiving at least 20% of their funding from abroad to register within 60 days as an “organization serving the interests of a foreign power” and submit to increased administrative control.
On Thursday, the Georgian parliament passed a bill in its first reading banning “LGBT propaganda,” very similar to legislation used in Russia to crack down on sexual minorities.
The head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell had already warned Georgia on Monday that the door to the EU could close if it did not change its policy.