On February 26, Pawel Herczynski, the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, highlighted the current status of Georgia's alignment with the common foreign and security policy of the European Union as relatively low, especially compared to other accession countries. 

He emphasized that efforts are underway, with the collaboration of the European Union representation in Georgia and the Georgian authorities, to enhance this alignment rate. Herczynski expressed the importance of gradually increasing the alignment rate to ensure that Georgia's foreign policy aligns with the European Union's. He acknowledged that while progress has been made, there is still significant work to be done for Georgia to fully synchronize its foreign policy and security stance with that of the European Union. Herczynski emphasized the expectation for all candidate countries, including Georgia, to align closely with the EU's common foreign and security policy, aiming for an alignment rate as close to 100% as possible. He highlighted the importance of combating disinformation and foreign information manipulation, especially those targeting the European Union and the West. The European diplomat emphasized that fighting disinformation and manipulation is a primary step, particularly in the context of Georgia's candidacy status. He commended the decision to grant Georgia candidate status, noting that it has led to improvements in this area. However, he stressed the need for continued efforts, especially with the upcoming Georgia and the EU elections. The ambassador expressed the EU's commitment to working with all stakeholders to counter misinformation and ensure that the Georgian population is well informed about the benefits and implications of European Union membership.

Herczynski emphasized the importance of concerted efforts from all stakeholders in Georgia to advance the integration process with the EU. He encouraged the government to be inclusive, the opposition to be constructive, and everyone in Georgia to work tirelessly towards progress on the recommendations outlined by the European Commission. Herczynski highlighted that the successful implementation of reforms depends on the commitment and efforts of the Georgian people themselves. He underscored the clarity of the roadmap provided by the EU, which consists of nine clear steps for integration.

The ambassador mentioned ongoing intensive consultations between the European Commission and Georgian authorities regarding the recommendations outlined in the enlargement report, particularly those related to judicial reform. He expressed hope that agreements will be reached on the necessary actions to be taken by Georgia. Herczynski stated that preparations for the next enlargement report are underway, with consultations involving various stakeholders, including civil society. He noted that decisions on whether to move to the next step, including the opening of negotiations, will be made by leaders in December, based on the progress achieved.