By Lilu Toidze-Limin (Georgia)
Georgia has lived where the continents come together for centuries, a tiny country squeezed between mountains and oceans, empires. Its destiny is defined once again by that physical geography. After obtaining status as an EU candidate in December 2023, Georgia stands on the edge of the European family it has wanted to join for decades. For many Georgians, the northern dream is not only about business or holidays; it is also about unity, consistency, and freedom from the legacy of history.
Ancient Roots, Modern Direction
Georgia’s connection with Europe is much older than some might think. In 337 AD, it became the first country to adopt Christianity. Since then, Georgia has found itself in the same cultural and moral dimension that shaped Europe in the following centuries. Despite the wars, occupations, and revolutions, the spiritual unity with Christian Europe has lasted for more than 1700 years.25 When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Georgia’s leaders made their choice explicit: westward. “I am Georgian, which means I am European,” proclaimed Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania in 1999. This attitude was characteristic of the whole Georgia nation, eager to return to the ancient cradle of democracy. The Rose Revolution of 2003 strengthened this trend. In the following years, Georgia joined the European Neighborhood Policy, the Eastern Partnership, and, most importantly, signed the 2014 EU-Georgia Association Agreement, establishing a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. Each of these steps deepened the integration of Georgia into European legislation and economy.
Progress and Growing Pains
Twenty years later, the snapshot is blended. Georgia has moved removed from the disarray of its initial autonomy, fabricating a working majority rule system and a lively economy. Thanks to the travel industry, speculation, and trade, development arrived at 7.5 percent in 2023, a great part of the greatest in the region. In any case, success stays lopsided, and changes frequently slow down a large portion of the way among guarantee and practice. Misrepresentation has diminished, however not vanished. The courts and the media actually face pressure. A considerable lot of the right laws exist on paper yet battle for our implementation. Once all is said in done, the design of majority rule government is there yet the way of life of obligation actually needs to mature. The hard milestone lies past legislative issues: regional honesty. Since the 2008 war, Georgia has lost viable power over Abkhazia and South Ossetia, regions under Russian occupation. In any case, since we anticipate full freedom from admirers, these uncertain clashes are as yet a significant load on the street to Tbilisi.
Why Georgia Matters to Europe
Europe’s interest in Georgia is not merely sentimental. The country occupies one of the most strategic patches of land on the map. The Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan and South Caucasus pipelines already carry Caspian energy to European ports, helping diversify supplies away from Russia. Integrating Georgia more deeply into the EU system would secure those lifelines.
Economically, Georgia is becoming an attractive partner. Through the DCFTA, it offers European companies low-cost production close to EU markets. Agriculture, textiles, and renewable energy all show promise, while tourism with more than seven million visitors in 2023 has become a major source of income. The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway and the modernization of Batumi and Poti ports are turning the country into a natural gateway between Europe and Central Asia.
But the argument for Georgia’s inclusion is not only about economics or logistics. It is about what Georgia represents. For the EU, welcoming a resilient democracy in the Caucasus would prove that European integration still works that the door of Europe remains open to those who reform and aspire, even under pressure from authoritarian neighbors.
Public Will and Russian Resistance
The yearning is clear. National Democratic Institute surveys show over 80% of Georgians backing EU membership – a number standing for more than a decade. Young Georgians dream of Europe as a place for education, change, and fair administration. Yet for Moscow, it is also about losing influence. Russia stymied Georgia’s westward grip through cyberwarfare, misinformation, and shelling. So for Tbilisi, the European orientation is not just an internal liberalization plan, but a sphere of influence defying geopolitical contribution.
A Shared Future
For Europe, bringing Georgia closer is not charity. It is strategy. A stable, democratic Georgia would not only strengthen the EU’s eastern frontier. It would also create secure energy routes and expand Europe’s footprint in a region where instability has ruled for too long. For Georgia, EU membership is the chance to turn ideals into institutions to ensure democracy means not only elections but every day. At the end of the day, Georgia’s search for Europe is also Europe’s own story. A story of its founding promise: freedom, justice, and cooperation have no fixed borders. A Europe that has Georgia within it will not only be stronger as a map it will be stronger in spirit.
