Georgia’s European way: What next?

Steven Blockmans, a senior research fellow and the head of the EU foreign policy and politics and institutions units of CEPS says in his blog with EURACTIV that the offer by the European Commission to let the College meet on an annual basis with Georgia’s leadership "is unique” when comparing it to relations between the EU and other third countries. 

Blockmans says that despite geopolitical pressures and other obstacles there is a "broad consensus” in Georgia on pursuing the goal of European integration.

For its part, the EU acknowledges Georgia’s European aspirations and provides considerable financial and technical support to assist the country in its democratic transformation and socio-economic modernization,” he says. 

The offer by the European Commission to let the College meet on an annual basis with Georgia’s leadership is unique when comparing it to relations between the EU and other third countries. 

Not even the countries of the European Economic Area (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland, whose economies are deepest entwined with the EU’s single market, can pride themselves with such an advanced format for dialogue.

Blockmans says that at the highest political level, the EU does not organise bilateral meetings other than with strategic partners like the US and China.

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