Gia Volsky, the Deputy Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, commented on the ongoing dynamics between the ruling party, Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia, and the opposition as they navigate the path toward Georgia’s European integration. He noted that the cooperation experience between the governing party and its critics has been less than successful when it comes to meeting the conditions tied to Tbilisi’s European accession process. The assessment emphasizes that constructive engagement with opposing voices is essential for advancing reforms and demonstrating a track record of credible political collaboration, something Volsky argues was lacking in past efforts. This reflection appears in the context of Georgia’s broader pursuit of closer ties with the European Union and the need to show tangible progress in decision-making processes. [Sputnik.Georgia]
Volsky underscored the importance of functional parliamentary structures, mentioning specialized committees as the proper arena for debate and for implementing recommendations. He argued that genuine progress in political cooperation requires active participation across committees, highlighting that a history of failed collaborations undermines confidence in Georgia’s readiness for EU alignment. The deputy speaker suggested that a more inclusive and disciplined committee process could create a positive model for interparty engagement, ultimately contributing to a more coherent national strategy on European integration. [Sputnik.Georgia]
Earlier, Georgia outlined additional steps toward advancing its European integration agenda. Speaker of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili invited opposition groups and civil society to join in shaping the plan, with the aim of securing the necessary outcomes to position Georgia for EU candidate status. Papuashvili framed this inclusive approach as central to progress, arguing that broad-based input would help Georgia meet EU expectations and demonstrate readiness for the next phase in the accession process. [Sputnik.Georgia]
In parallel, the European Commission signaled that Georgia could be granted EU candidate status, provided that certain conditions are fulfilled. Among these conditions is a call to increase the alignment of Georgia’s actions with the European Union’s common foreign and security policy, a benchmark designed to ensure consistency with EU norms and strategic priorities. The Commission’s guidance places emphasis on coherent external policy and solid governance to reassure member states and voters alike that reform efforts are sustainable and credible. [Sputnik.Georgia]
The decision on granting candidate status will ultimately rest with the heads of state and government at the EU summit scheduled for December in Brussels. A unanimous agreement among current EU members is required for Georgia to receive candidate status, underscoring the high level of consensus needed for such a significant step. The discussion around this milestone continues to shape political narratives in Georgia as parties analyze potential concessions, reform timelines, and the project’s national impact. [Sputnik.Georgia]
Previously, there were reports in Georgia about opposition parties attempting to frame the EU integration process as a source of domestic chaos. Those assessments reflect a broader debate about balancing rapid reform with political stability, and about how various factions view Georgia’s future relationship with the European Union. The dialogue remains ongoing as stakeholders seek a path that satisfies EU criteria while maintaining national unity and social stability. [Sputnik.Georgia]