As it looks now, Georgia will not be able to continue on the path towards EU membership, announce the EU countries' leaders.
The 27 heads of state and government express serious concern over the development in Georgia, according to a joint statement from this week's summit in Brussels. The so-called agent legislation introduced by the Georgian government is considered a clear deviation from the criteria that have been set out.
They want the government in Tbilisi to "clarify its intentions" and reverse the course that "endangers Georgia's path to the EU and de facto stops the accession process".
Georgia became a candidate country to the EU at the end of last year, but during the spring, its government has introduced so-called agent legislation of Russian model, despite massive protests at home.
The new legislation is said to aim at creating increased transparency in other countries' activities in the country. It has been feared to have consequences for the country's EU process by going against the requirements for membership.
At the EU summit, demands are also raised that the increasing violence and threats against opposition members, journalists, and representatives of civil society must cease.
While the majority of the Georgian people want to take steps towards the EU, the small country's government has balanced interests against Russia, which in practice occupies parts of Georgia since a short war 16 years ago.
