OLIVÉR VÁRHELYI
MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD AND ENLARGEMENT
Brussels, 17 April 2023
Dear representatives of Georgian civil society organisations,
Thank you for your letter of 24 March 2023 regarding Georgia’s implementation of the 12 priorities specified in the Commission’s Opinion of 17 June 2022.
Let me first emphasise our commitment to supporting Georgia on its European path. Civil society has a significant role in this endeavour and is also vital for safeguarding a democratic state. We appreciate the involvement of the Georgian civil society in monitoring the implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement as well as its input into policy formulation.
As outlined in your letter, on 23-24 June 2022 the European Council granted Georgia a European perspective. Since this decision, the Commission has been closely following the steps taken by Georgia to implement the 12 priorities and is supporting Georgia to address all the key issues as rapidly and as effectively as possible.
Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF)
Union Sapari
Democracy Research Institute (DRI)
Governance Monitoring Center (GMC)
Georgia’s Reforms Associates (GRASS)
Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA)
Social Justice Center
Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI)
Tbilisi Pride
Georgian Court Watch
Transparency International Georgia
Green Alternative
Eastern European Centre for Multiparty Democracy (EECMD)
Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (GFSIS)
Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC)
International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED)
Europe Foundation
At the same time, as is the case with all enlargement countries, the speed of progress on the EU path depends on the delivery of key reforms. The Commission will provide an oral update to the Council on how Georgia has been addressing the 12 priorities in spring 2023. The timing and modalities of this update are still being discussed. A formal report on the implementation of the priorities will be part of the Commission’s annual enlargement package in autumn.
Yours sincerely,
Olivér Várhelyi