Introduction
The history of Georgia includes many episodes of the struggle for freedom and independence. We Georgians had to fight for the protection of our territories, political independence, and, of course, freedom. As a result of various efforts, we tried to obtain an appropriate place in the international arena. Historically, we aspired to be a part of our family—Europe. However, the enemy has taken us away from Europe and made us part of a totalitarian system by using force and infringing our freedom and political independence.
Today, it is our duty to follow the path of our ancestors and achieve more tangible results for full integration into the European structures. We should respect the path of our great ancestors and ensure our civilizational choice – the European choice for realizing state goals. The future of Georgia is in the European Union, which has no alternative. The cornerstone of this system is the human being and the creation of an appropriate environment for individuals' development, and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. It is necessary to create a better future for our children, the young generation.
The way to maintain peace
Because of the geographical location and geopolitical context, maintaining peace is a significant task for the Georgian statehood. However, at the same time, ensuring peace, especially positive peace, without the support of partners and performing reforms is not achievable. The rules of international politics and today's geopolitical circumstances indicate that Georgia, under the occupation and annexation conditions, needs to clearly define strategic allies and deepen cooperation with them, especially in defense and security, creating new opportunities and formats. Furthermore, sustainable development is a necessary condition for peace. That is why it is vitally important to implement Georgia's European goals and objectives.
Today, the European Union has a multidimensional nature. It is a unity of important European states. With their support, tomorrow, we can have highly developed education, healthcare, agriculture, financial, and security systems, which will ensure the creation of a democratic, stable environment for the citizens of Georgia and give them many opportunities. Practically, this means safeguarding the rights of the employees (The principle of equal pay for equal work became part of the Treaty of Rome in 1957), students, teachers, professors, doctors, public servants, farmers, pensioners and others. Also, the introduction of European standards means the rejection of nepotism and the development of institutions based on merit, which creates the appropriate motivation for progress, advancement, and innovation in the 21st century, in the era of digital technologies.
Challenges
In 2023, the European Council granted EU candidate status to Georgia. However, in 2024, the law "On Transparency of Foreign Influence" adopted by the Parliament of Georgia (which is a Russian law due to its content) led to the suspension of the process of geopolitical importance. This legislative act is incompatible with European values. It causes stigmatizing civil and media organizations. It leads to the division of society and significantly damages the country's national interests. Because of restrictions on fundamental freedoms, the state cannot form a European democratic system and use a vital geopolitical opportunity. European integration requires the implementation of initiatives that will not harm the civil environment but will contribute to its improvement. For democratization, ensuring a system of checks and balances is essential. The functioning of this is impossible without a free society and the media.
The unjustified and non-strategic decisions did not allow us to achieve more tangible results on the path of European integration. Furthermore, they have impeded this significant process. The European Union has already opened accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. We should also start negotiations with the European Union, which will give different impetus to the European integration process. For example, the EU Commission has adopted a €1.8 billion support package to underpin Moldova's economic growth plan on its path to the EU. The plan, which is the largest EU financial support package since Moldova's independence, will boost Moldova's economy, bring the country closer to EU membership by accelerating reforms, and provide significant financial assistance. The Moldova Growth Plan is based on three pillars, aimed at increasing financial aid over the next three years through a dedicated Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova, based on the upcoming Reform Agenda and of discussed priority investment needs with Moldova; enhancing access to the European Union's single market; supporting Moldova's socio-economic and fundamental reforms. This package illustrates how sustainable development of the country can be achieved through European integration, which creates a solid foundation for Georgia to renew the process.
Unfortunately, we have witnessed how false and non-strategic decisions have seriously damaged the Georgian foreign policy priorities enshrined in the Constitution of Georgia. Our significant strategic partner, the United States has indefinitely postponed the exercise – Noble Partner in Georgia. According to the statement of the U.S. Department of Defense, “The decision to postpone this exercise is due to the Georgian government's false accusations against the United States and other Western entities of pressuring Georgia to open a second front against Russia to alleviate pressure on Ukraine and of participating in two coup attempts against the ruling party”.
Denmark has reviewed aid to Georgia and suspended some planned activities and new programming support. The UK has decided to freeze Wardrop Dialogue and pause a new cyber security program.
According to the decision of the European Council, ''It reiterates its serious concern regarding the course of action taken by the Georgian government, which runs counter to the values and principles upon which the European Union is founded. The European Council recalls that such a course of action jeopardizes Georgia’s European path, and de facto halts the accession process''. These decisions clearly illustrate that we face serious challenges in foreign, security, economic and other fields. This situation threatens our European, secure, democratic, peaceful future.
Conclusion
We should make the right choice and return to the Euro-Atlantic track to implement the Georgian foreign policy priorities enshrined in the Constitution of our country. The parliamentary elections should become a legitimate basis for power sharing, which will create a new practice for the parliamentary democracy of Georgia to form a coalition government. Otherwise, we cannot restart relations with partners, especially strategic partners, and we cannot achieve results on the European path. Furthermore, we may face more challenges. Therefore, the key to a peaceful, European, unified Georgia is to strengthen its democratic institutions. Through free and fair elections, we can achieve this strategic goal, and in this process, each of us has own responsibility before our country.
Prof. Dr. Khatuna Burkadze is a Director of foreign policy studies at Geocase. She has experience in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Prof. Dr. Khatuna Burkadze has been employed by the Parliament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of the Prime Minister, and Supreme Court of Georgia.
Prof. Dr. Khatuna Burkadze has graduated from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. She has been a Fulbright scholar at the MIT Center for International Studies, and a visiting professor at Columbia University, Bard College, and The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Prof. Dr. Khatuna Burkadze has successfully completed programs on negotiations and security studies at Harvard University and George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies. She is an alumna of the U.S. Department of State’s Program on American Foreign Policy.