EU Ambassador to Georgia Paweł Herczynski, speaking on 11 July 2026 at a Europe Day event in Batumi, said Georgia is not among the countries advancing on the path to joining the European Union, though the EU has not lost hope that the situation is temporary. Herczynski stressed that EU enlargement is based on shared rules and democratic development, and that the bloc's commitment to Georgia remains unchanged, but the rules are also unchanged. The speech, delivered at the Batumi Europe Day celebration, marks a public acknowledgment of stalled EU integration for Georgia, which has been an EU partner for over 30 years. Herczynski praised Batumi as an open and diverse city, drawing a parallel between the city's tolerance and Europe's strength in diversity and adherence to common rules. He noted that the EU has stood by Georgia as a long-term and reliable partner for more than three decades, but progress on the EU path requires democratic development. The ambassador's remarks come amid ongoing political tensions in Georgia, where the government has faced criticism over democratic backsliding. The speech did not announce new measures or initiatives, but reaffirmed the EU's position that Georgia's accession process depends on meeting democratic criteria. The event, attended by local officials and citizens, included cultural performances and a celebration of European unity. Herczynski concluded by encouraging Georgia to move forward, expressing hope that the current stagnation is temporary.
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