In a significant move, both Moldova and Georgia have commenced membership talks with the European Union, signaling a substantial step forward in their aspirations to join the bloc of 27 European states.
Despite potential challenges and the likelihood of a lengthy process, lawmakers in both countries proudly displayed EU flags and played the bloc’s anthem during the opening of their parliamentary sessions on Friday.
This announcement comes amid notable opposition from Hungary and the geopolitical complexities of partial Russian occupation in Ukraine and Georgia, as well as Russian troops deployed in Moldova’s Transnistria region. Despite these challenges, thousands of Georgians gathered in Tbilisi to celebrate this historic step, emphasizing the importance of EU integration for security, economic strength, and shared values.
Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Gharibashvili, congratulated the nation, calling it a “historic victory” for the people. By initiating these membership talks and offering Georgia candidate status, the EU aims to send a clear message to Russia, as stated by Natia Seskuria, the director of the Regional Institute of Security Studies in Tbilisi.
While the path to full EU membership may take decades, the move holds significant symbolic value. The Kremlin responded with irritation, describing the EU’s decision as “absolutely politicized” and expressing concerns about potential destabilization within the EU.
In the case of Moldova, which has faced multiple crises since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including energy shortages and anti-government protests, EU membership discussions could offer transformative possibilities. Seskuria highlighted that EU membership has been a “generational dream for Georgians,” cautioning that there is still a “long way ahead,” with stringent criteria requiring fulfillment.
All three countries, including Ukraine, must address issues such as corruption and organized crime while strengthening the rule of law. Membership talks might heighten tensions in Georgia, where President Salome Zourabichvili, a pro-EU advocate, faces opposition from the ruling Georgian Dream party, seen as pro-Russian.
Zourabichvili emphasized that Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova exemplify the fight for freedom and European values. She criticized a foreign agent registration bill in Georgia, likening it to a Russian law used to silence Kremlin critics. Opponents claim the ruling Georgian Dream party, founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, has ties to Russia, which the party vehemently denies.
