Georgian PM: EU report confirms Georgia outperforms some member states, yet faces unfair treatment

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday highlighted Georgia’s significant progress as recognised in the latest European Commission assessment, which showed the country surpassing up to ten EU member states in nearly all parameters.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze emphasised Georgia’s leadership amongst EU candidate countries and beyond.

“I would find it difficult to say whether the European Commission will take its own report into account, which highlights significant progress regarding Georgia. However, you can see that, according to all objective assessments, Georgia is a clear leader - in terms of reforms and the current state of affairs”, Kobakhidze said.

The PM referenced a 2023 points-based assessment that demonstrated Georgia’s superiority over Moldova and Bosnia, both of which were granted EU candidate status at the time, while Georgia was denied.

“As early as the beginning of 2023, a points-based assessment was published, according to which Georgia significantly outperformed both Moldova and Bosnia. Yet, as you may recall, those two countries were granted candidate status at that time, while Georgia was not. According to all objective assessments, Georgia is an undisputed leader, not only amongst candidate countries. This latest assessment confirms that we surpass even up to ten EU member states in practically every parameter”, he noted.

Kobakhidze expressed scepticism about whether the European Commission would act on its own findings, given the persistent bias against Georgia.

”However, you can see that the attitude toward us is unfair, and the reason for this unfairness is that, unfortunately, the European bureaucracy operates under the dictate of external forces that do not want peace and development in our country”, he concluded.