Georgia, a former Soviet republic long in Moscow’s sphere of influence, applied to apply for membership in the EU after the Russian army invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Several hundred pro-EU demonstrators marched in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, on Saturday, a week before Brussels decides to grant candidate status to this Caucasian country.
European leaders are due to meet on December 14-15 to address the issue at a summit where negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, already officially EU candidates, are also planned.
Waving European and Georgian flags, the demonstrators, who represented several NGOs, marched up the main avenue of Tbilisi, according to an AFP correspondent on site.
On Europe Square, demonstrators unfurled a 33-meter-long European flag. “The unity of Georgians is of decisive importance to ensure our path towards the EU”declared the organizers in a press release.
The country’s pro-European president, Salomé Zourabichvili, was at the demonstration.
“In principle, the decision of December 15 should not pose a problem, if it follows the recommendation of the (European) Commission, which is the hope of all of us”Ms. Zourabichvili told AFP.
“It would be extremely serious if (Hungarian leader) Orban – under the leadership of Russia – could force the European Union to go against decisions which go towards a common European future, towards the common freedom of Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova in the European area”she added.
One protester, Nika Tvauri, 60, summed up the situation this way: “It’s about bringing Georgia home. Hello Europe, goodbye Russia”this mathematician told AFP.
Georgia, a former Soviet republic long in Moscow’s sphere of influence, applied to apply for membership in the EU after the Russian army invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Brussels granted candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova in June 2022, but not to Georgia, requiring first electoral and judicial reforms, efforts to improve press freedom and fight against oligarchs.
In November, the European Commission nevertheless recommended granting it candidate status, while calling on the Georgian government to undertake reforms that “reflect” the willingness of its citizens to join the Union.
The aspiration to join the EU and NATO is enshrined in the Georgian Constitution and supported, according to opinion polls, by around 80% of the population.