Georgia Faces EU Scrutiny Amid Critical Report; Deepens China Economic Ties
November 4, 2025
Today, November 4, 2025, Georgia was at the forefront of international attention as the European Commission released its highly anticipated 2025 Enlargement Report. The report delivered a stark assessment, with EU Ambassador Pavel Herczynski stating that Georgia is "further from EU membership today than it was in 2023" and describing the findings as "devastating." He highlighted that Georgia's progress on its European path has "practically stopped" and warned of an upcoming annual report in December on the visa suspension mechanism.
The report provoked sharp reactions across the Georgian political spectrum. President Salome Zurabishvili called it a "very heavy day" and accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of deliberately abandoning the European integration path, allegedly "at Moscow's instruction," urging citizens to protest. Opposition leaders echoed these concerns, with Mamuka Khazaradze calling the report a clear indictment of an "authoritarian system." In contrast, the Georgian government, including Foreign Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, dismissed the report's criticisms as "baseless negative assessments" and accused the EU bureaucracy of being biased. Amidst these political exchanges, poet Paata Shamugia was arrested during ongoing protests near Rustaveli Avenue, where demonstrators expressed their discontent.
Economically, the day saw mixed signals. The National Bank of Georgia reported an annual inflation rate of 5.2% in October, with rising bread prices notably contributing to monthly inflation. Meanwhile, trade turnover with CIS countries reached a historical maximum, increasing by 5.6% to $6.011 billion in the first nine months of the year. High-level delegations, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili, conducted meetings in China, signing memorandums aimed at boosting Chinese investments, promoting direct flights, and facilitating Georgian agricultural exports, underlining a strengthening economic partnership.
On the local front, several infrastructure projects were highlighted, including the second phase of Rustaveli Street rehabilitation in Batumi, and the completion of a 65 million GEL project for the Kakaskhidi-Zekari section of the Baghdati-Abastumani road. The National Food Agency reported the detection of donkey DNA in minced meat at various facilities, raising food safety concerns. In sports, Georgian weightlifters Nana Khorava and Mariam Murghvliani secured Vice-Champion titles at the U20 European Championships, and the Georgian men's national handball team won the Carpathian Cup.