EU institutions must continue to ensure that pro-European countries as Georgia see the European Union as their ultimate goal, – This is stated in an article by Paul L. Vandoren published in the Euractiv.  Dr Paul. L. Vandoren is a former EU Ambassador to Croatia and former acting EU Ambassador to the Russian Federation.

“Further east, the South Caucasus is another region of importance for EU enlargement. Georgia has an unequivocally pro-European (and pro-NATO) government, whose leaders have made no secret of their desire to join both of those exclusive Western clubs”, –  Paul. L. Vandoren writes.

As the author of the article notes, the government’s plans also – importantly – enjoy widespread popular support, with 80% of Georgians supporting the idea of joining both the EU and NATO. The article mentions that the EU is Georgia’s largest donor and strongest partner. In 2016, an ambitious Association Agreement entered into force between the EU and Georgia.

“This is an act of geopolitical significance for Georgia, affirming its European identity and its strategic foreign policy priority of developing closer ties with the EU”, – Paul. L. Vandoren writes.

The  article also mentions Russia factor. “There is, of course, one significant complicating factor. The elephant (or, rather, bear) in the room. Currently, 20% of Georgia’s territory is occupied by Russia following the brief war in 2008 (during which, as a diplomat, I was posted to the EU Embassy in Moscow) under a previous Administration in Tbilisi. The two countries still have no diplomatic relations, and Russia’s consistent cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns are deliberately designed to hold back the Georgian government’s push to become closer to Europe.”

As the former EU ambassador to Croatia writes, Brussels must continue to ensure that countries such as Georgia see the EU as their ultimate goal. The author of the article also offers the EU the outline of the next steps and states that the first step should be to publicly support the country and recognize its achievements.

“The current Georgian Dream government in Tbilisi has overseen an economic renaissance: Georgia currently sits 7^th in the annual ‘Ease of Doing Business’ rankings (above 26 of the 27 EU member states); 12^th in the Heritage Global Index of Economic Freedom; and the government has cut poverty by 50% as “the poor have benefitted considerably from the Government’s social policies” and “new economic opportunities” according to the World Bank” , – Paul L. Vandoren writes.

According to him, Georgia’s support should continue even after the  Coronavirus crisis.

“This support for Georgia must continue after the current crisis has passed. For inspiration, the Von der Leyen Commission should look at the examples of the Baltic States and Croatia: where you have a pro-Western, reforming and European-focused country – engage, engage, engage”, – the author of the article reads.