EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski and German Ambassador Peter Fischer marked Europe Day in Tbilisi by reaffirming EU support for Georgia’s membership prospects while warning that recent political developments and anti-European rhetoric are slowing progress toward EU integration, stressing that reforms and political alignment with EU values remain essential for accession.

Pawel Herczynski: "Georgia Has Halted Its Progress Toward the EU"

On May 9, during an event marking Europe Day in Tbilisi, Pawel Herczynski, the EU Ambassador to Georgia, stated that Georgia had recently halted its progress toward the European Union and criticized the continuation of anti-European rhetoric, which, according to him, was damaging relations built over many years. At the same time, Herczynski emphasized that the European Union still hoped Georgia would eventually become a member of the bloc and expressed readiness to resume joint efforts toward that goal.

Addressing the audience in Georgian, Herczynski highlighted the long-standing partnership between the European Union and Georgia since the restoration of the country’s independence. According to him, the EU had consistently supported Georgia and contributed to improving the lives of its citizens. He stressed that Europe was "a space of diversity," where states preserve and strengthen their culture, traditions, and identity rather than lose them.

"Georgia is admired in Europe precisely for its uniqueness and rich culture," Herczynski stated, adding that Europe respected Georgia’s history and traditions. However, he noted that democratic development remained the key prerequisite for integration into the European family. According to the ambassador, Georgia’s recent political course had distanced the country from the EU path and weakened hopes built over generations.

"Together we are stronger than apart," Herczynski emphasized. He reiterated that the European Union remained committed to supporting Georgia’s eventual membership, calling EU accession the best guarantee of long-term peace and prosperity. Referring to the nearly 80-year history of the European Union, he described the bloc as "the most successful peace project in the history of Europe."

Commenting on the letter sent to him by Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Herczynski confirmed that he had received the correspondence several days earlier and stated that the letter had already been forwarded to the EU’s headquarters. According to him, an official response would follow "in due course."

Asked whether representatives of the Georgian government had been invited to the Europe Day event, Herczynski stated that the gathering was open to everyone. He noted that invitations had been publicly distributed through posters and social media announcements and said any interested person could attend the celebration.

Responding to criticism voiced by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Herczynski stated that since arriving in Georgia he had maintained a policy of not commenting on statements made by Georgian politicians about him personally. "I do not take it personally," the ambassador noted, adding that representing the European Union in Georgia was "a great honor."

During remarks concerning Victory Day, Herczynski rejected suggestions of a contradiction between May 9 commemorations and Europe Day celebrations. According to him, the European Union itself emerged from the devastation of World War II and was founded precisely to prevent future wars in Europe. He emphasized that the EU deeply respected all those who sacrificed their lives during the war.

"The history of the European Union is the best proof that this is the most successful peace project in the history of Europe," Herczynski stated. He also expressed hope that Georgia would not lose what he described as a historic opportunity to join the European Union.

Discussing Georgia’s EU candidate status, Herczynski stressed that the decision to grant the country a European perspective had been unanimously approved by all 27 EU member states in December 2023. According to him, the process was initiated following Georgia’s own application for membership and reflected the sovereign choice of the Georgian government.

At the same time, the ambassador underlined that accession to the EU was governed by strict and identical procedures for all candidate countries. "There is no shortcut," Herczynski stated, adding that if the Georgian authorities were serious about membership, they would have to complete the same reforms and obligations required from every applicant state.

Referring to the European Union’s assessments of Georgia, Herczynski noted that conclusions adopted by the European Council and the Council of the European Union clearly outlined the expectations directed toward candidate countries. He recalled that the latest enlargement report on Georgia had been "devastating" and announced that a new report would be published in November.

According to the ambassador, the future pace of Georgia’s European integration depended entirely on the Georgian authorities. "It takes two to tango," Herczynski stated, while emphasizing that the EU had already made its political decision regarding Georgia’s eligibility for membership.

Commenting on recent developments surrounding police conduct during demonstrations, Herczynski described the arrest of several police officers accused of violence as "a step in the right direction." He stressed that impunity was unacceptable and added that the European Union condemned violence "from all sides."

The ambassador also reiterated that the EU was built on the principles of freedom, democracy, rule of law, and human rights. According to him, all countries aspiring to join the bloc were expected to adhere to those same standards and values. He emphasized that the European Union remained ready to support Georgia, provided there was "sincere readiness" from the Georgian side to continue the integration process.

Peter Fischer: "Window of Opportunity Will Not Remain Open Forever"

On May 9, Peter Fischer, the German Ambassador to Georgia, criticized the letter sent by Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, to the EU Ambassador to Georgia, stating that the accusations directed at the European Union were unfounded. In comments to InterpressNews, Fischer said he was concerned that Papuashvili either misunderstood the nature of Europe or was deliberately misrepresenting it.

"I am a little worried about Mr. Papuashvili, he either doesn’t really understand what Europe is or pretends not to understand, neither of which is good," Fischer stated, adding that neither the European Union nor its member states required "a lecture on what Europe is."

According to the ambassador, claims that the EU was damaging relations with Georgia contradicted the perceptions of Georgian citizens themselves. Fischer emphasized that many Georgians viewed Europe as a reliable partner and a source of hope that had consistently supported Georgia since the restoration of its independence.

"The accusations are clearly false," Fischer noted. He stated that the European Union was built on the principles of unity in diversity, peace, freedom, and prosperity, and stressed that Georgia remained welcome as a friend and partner within the European family. Fischer also encouraged Georgian citizens to familiarize themselves with the EU treaties, arguing that the bloc’s values and constitutional foundations were clearly outlined there.

Discussing Georgia’s European integration process, Fischer recalled conversations he had held several years earlier with Irakli Gharibashvili, the former Prime Minister of Georgia. According to the ambassador, he had warned Georgian officials at the time that the opportunity for EU integration would not remain open indefinitely.

"I came to Georgia four years ago and used to talk to Prime Minister Gharibashvili back then," Fischer stated, adding that he had repeatedly emphasized that the "window of opportunity" for European integration was open but not guaranteed forever.

Speaking at Europe Day events, Fischer described the European Union as the foundation of Germany’s peace, freedom, and prosperity over the last 80 years. He emphasized that Georgia had been granted a historic opportunity through candidate status and expressed hope that the country would eventually join the European Union.

According to Fischer, enlargement remained a political process influenced by changing political dynamics inside Europe. He explained that following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there had been strong momentum in favor of EU enlargement and support for candidate countries, including Georgia. At the same time, he warned that there were political forces within Europe opposed to further expansion of the bloc.

Fischer stated that one of the "strangest" aspects of Georgia’s current political course was that the ruling Georgian Dream party was cooperating with European political groups that oppose EU enlargement. He argued that such alliances contradicted Georgia’s declared aspiration to join the European Union.

"We want the window to remain open and Georgia to become a member of the European Union," Fischer emphasized. He added that Georgia already possessed candidate status and an invitation to proceed further but stressed that political circumstances could change over time and that the opportunity "will not be open forever."

Commenting on the German Foreign Ministry website, which still reportedly listed Salome Zourabichvili as President of Georgia instead of Mikheil Kavelashvili, Fischer stated that the German embassy was not responsible for the ministry’s online content. Referring the matter to the German Foreign Ministry, the ambassador stated that "in a reasonable time, we will see a reasonable solution."