Georgia will face serious obstacles to EU membership

Significance Georgia officially embarked on the path to EU membership along with Ukraine and Moldova shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Despite Tbilisi not meeting the conditions set during the assessment stage, the European Council recommended that Georgia be granted candidate status in December. However, several serious obstacles, including compromised territorial integrity and an unwillingness from the ruling Georgian Dream party to implement reform, threaten Tbilisi’s European ambitions. Impacts The conditions set by the European Commission could cause tensions with the current government to rise further. By granting Georgia candidate status, the EU’s geopolitical influence in Tbilisi and the South Caucasus will grow. Excessive Western pressure may drive Georgia closer towards less liberal powers, such as Russia and China.