Changes between two versions
What changed between the draft committee report and the plenary report
AI:What changed, in short
Adds extensive new recitals and paragraphs on Georgia's democratic backsliding, political repression, and human rights abuses.168 Strengthens calls for EU sanctions against Georgian officials and Ivanishvili, and for conditional engagement with the authorities.567 Adds details on elections, legislation, and foreign policy misalignment, including new concerns about sanctions circumvention and Russian influence.18 Updates wording and adds references to institutions and public support for EU integration.234 The other changes are formal and wording: rephrasing and minor textual adjustments.3
7 changes of substance · 0 formal · 1 of wording only
Written by AI from the two texts only · read the changes before relying on it · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
+90 added · −18 removed · 6 changed paragraphs, packaging included.
Part 4 of 4: EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
5 unchanged paragraphs
This is the second report on Georgia as an EU candidate country, taking into account the 2025 Commission report on Georgia. The report focuses the European Parliament’s main concerns regarding the state of democracy, rule of law and the European integration of Georgia.
The report reflects the fact that democratic backsliding in Georgia further intensified since the last report. There has been backsliding in the implementation of all nine priorities, which were the condition for granting Georgia candidate status. The ruling Georgian Dream party continues its orchestrated and systematic campaign against the EU, its officials and diplomats, using manipulative narratives, disinformation and conspiracy theories. Political opponents have been imprisoned or face threats and physical attacks. Activities of Georgia’s civil society and independent media are being stifled with increasingly repressive legislation, particularly the most recent amendments to the Law on Grants, which criminalise receiving foreign funding without prior government approval. Hundreds of civil society activists have faced physical violence and intimidation, while dozens have been arrested and imprisoned on political grounds.
The report supports targeted EU and Member State sanctions against Georgian Dream leadership and key officials, welcomes the activation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism to assess compliance with Georgia’s democratic commitments, and notes the EU’s suspension of visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic and official passports.
The diminishing alignment with statements by the High Representative on behalf of the EU and Council decisions on sanctions and increasing cooperation with China, Russia and Iran further confirm Georgia’s turn away from its path of Euro-Atlantic integration.
In this negative environment, it is more than ever important to support the Georgian people, who continue their struggle for a European and democratic Georgia.