Georgia's Kobakhidze engages with European leaders at Tirana summit, signalling thaw in EU relations

Georgian PM Irakli Kobakhidze’s warm exchanges at the EPC summit signal a thaw in EU-Georgia relations after paused accession talks.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s participation in the 6th Summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in Tirana on Friday marked a thaw in the strained relations between Tbilisi and the European Union, after both parties hit pause on the South Caucasus country’s EU accession talks. A short, but warm encounter between the Georgian premier and French President Emmanuel Macron during the summit signalled that Georgia and the EU are turning the page on their past differences.Kobakhidze underlined this moment by telling journalists that “there was a period of limited communication (between Georgia and the EU) and it seems our European partners were eager to restore ties with Georgia.” The Georgian prime minister explained the thaw by his country’s “vital role for Europe” adding that “everyone understands the need to engage with Georgia and its leadership, and this is likely why many initiatives have come from European leaders.”“Everyone should recognise Georgia’s strategic importance for Europe, especially for the eurozone. Our role in the region is significant, and that’s why the need for dialogue with Georgian leaders is increasingly acknowledged,” he said. The EU gave Georgia candidate status in December 2023 but halted its membership application process indefinitely and cut financial support last June after the passage of a "foreign influence" law that the bloc considered to be Russian-inspired and authoritarian, on the backdrop of massive anti-government protests in the capital Tbilisi.Then after winning the general elections last October, Kobakhidze announced that Georgia would pause discussions on its bid to join the EU until 2028 due to what the prime minister described then as "blackmail and manipulation" from some of the bloc’s politicians. In an interview with Euronews in November, Kobakhidze said the ball was in Brussels' court, emphasising that he was still "very optimistic" that his country would obtain EU membership by 2030, describing it as key strategic objective for Georgia.'I am ready to speak with everyone'Kobakhidze was reappointed in November as prime minister by the ruling Georgian Dream party, in power since 2012, but his election victory sparked massive demonstrations. Opposition forces — including Georgia's former president Salome Zourabichvili —condemned the election results as a "total falsification" of the vote. The European Parliament in November adopted a resolution condemning the vote and calling for new elections to be held under international supervision.And then on Friday, Kobakhidze announced that he chose the EPC as “a significant event where discussions will focus on the main messages concerning our country’s fundamental national interests.”The European Political Community summit in Tirana which brings together heads of state and government of almost 40 countries, both EU and non-members.“I am ready to speak with everyone—let’s see how it unfolds. This format allows us to engage with many leaders on issues related to our country’s development, regional stability, and Georgia’s European integration,” the Georgian prime minister signalled to participating leaders.And then as the summit was about to start, Macron approached Kobakhidze to have a brief but apparently warm exchange, amounting to a symbolic change of tone between Georgia and the EU.The summit video also showed Kobakhidze talking to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.The Georgian prime minister also held formal talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a long-time supporter of the Georgian government. Kobakhidze explained this political evolution as a result of Georgia’s “key position” in the South Caucasus region. “Over the years, we have made significant contributions to strengthening peace and stability in the region, and we remain committed to acting in this spirit moving forward,” Kobakhidze told Georgian journalists in Albania. “We are connecting two neighbouring countries—Azerbaijan and Armenia—with Europe. Moreover, Georgia is undertaking several important projects with its neighbours that significantly improve connectivity," Kobakhidze said. "I believe this is of utmost importance not only for Georgia but also for Europe and the European Union, as it helps forge stronger links between the EU and our region,” the Georgian prime minister concluded.