Finnish FM expresses strong support for Georgia’s potential EU membership based on meeting necessary criteria

Elina Valtonen, Finland’s Foreign Minister and OSCE Chair, on Tuesday expressed strong support for Georgia’s potential EU membership based on meeting necessary criteria, emphasising the importance of inclusive decision-making and reforms.

In her remarks, Valtonen underscored that reforms like promoting transparency, inclusivity, and a market economy were crucial for Georgia’s EU aspirations and inherently valuable for its citizens.

“I always tell EU candidate countries that any reform required for membership - whether it concerns the rule of law, processes, inclusivity, the inclusion of minority groups, building transparent systems, combating corruption, fully promoting a market economy, and many other issues - is perceived as a great value on the path to EU membership. If the process does not end in membership, that is, of course, the country’s decision. Every step on this path that serves EU integration is in the interest of the country’s citizens because for each specific country it means more freedom, more empowerment, and greater prosperity in the future”, Valtonen said.

“This is the future that the EU is delighted to offer Georgia. I want to emphasise that in a democracy, the country’s citizens decide what steps to take. Unfortunately, recently, we see that the country’s government is not taking some steps; steps are being taken toward restricting freedoms rather than granting them. The imprisonment of opposition leaders means that people do not have a choice in elections. Civil society organisations are facing difficulties in their operations”, she noted.

Valtonen reiterated Finland’s, the EU’s, and the OSCE’s support for Georgia’s integration, provided it adheres to the required criteria and prioritises an open, participatory process.

“On behalf of the EU, the OSCE, and Finland, I will say that Finland would be very pleased if Georgia joins the EU based on these criteria. I have raised questions, and this decision is for Georgia’s population to make. The country deserves a full, inclusive process in decision-making”, the Minister concluded.