Toivo Klaar, the European Union’s (EU) Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia, assessed Tbilisi’s relations with Brussels and the EU accession process: “These accession negotiations will last for many years. Georgia’s accession is not on the agenda tomorrow or the next day. This is a long-term process.”
Georgia applied for EU membership in March 2022 and was granted candidate status in December 2023, on the understanding that Georgia takes the relevant steps set out in the European Commission recommendation of November 2023.
So how will Georgia’s EU accession process work? What are the challenges ahead? Where are relations with Russia in this process? We spoke to Toivo Klaar, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia.
Georgia did not impose any sanctions on Russia regarding the Ukraine crisis. What do you think Georgia’s view of Russia as a country that went to war in 2008 and now not sanctioning?
Well, we, of course, are in constant contact, in constant discussion with Georgia. We have a very close relationship with Georgia. And for our point of view, the important thing is that we do not see a circumvention of sanctions. That is, that Georgia is not a conduit for large-scale circumvention of sanctions. And this is important for the EU. We believe that the sanctions are essential. And we are looking to our partners to make sure that their territories cannot be used for circumvention of sanctions. And in that regard, I think we have a good working relationship with Georgia.
Tbilisi is committed to the EU accession process now. So, what are the obstacles and challenges? How do you assess Brussels’ attitude towards Georgia given that it took a lot of time to reach that point?
Well, in the end, the fact that we did agree that Georgia and we did announce that Georgia can become a candidate country and the member states decided so, is only the beginning of a process. In the end, it is down to each applicant country to, then, prove that they fulfill the criteria, first of all, to start accession negotiations and then, of course, to actually finish accession negotiations. So, in that sense, we have opened the door. Now it is up to Georgia to step into the entrance way and then to start working towards actually being ready for membership.
What are those challenges?
I think there’s a lot of challenges. And I think, well, first of all, it is important to fulfill the criteria to start to open the accession negotiations. And then the question is then to start fulfilling all the criteria required for membership. And that’s not an easy process. So, all candidate countries have had a fairly hard time in preparing for membership. And this is no different for Georgia. Therefore, it will be incumbent on the Georgian authorities to take this seriously and to recognize that it is now really for the Georgian authorities to prove that Georgia is ready to proceed first to the next phase and then to actually succeed in the accession negotiations.
Newly appointed Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that further rapprochement with China is one of his government’s priorities. How does Georgia benefit from a rapprochement with China, according to you, while walking this road towards the EU?
Well, I think that every country has, of course, a right to be able to develop relations with third countries. And the same goes for Georgia. The question is that when it comes to alignment of foreign policy, that is obviously something that we’re looking for from a candidate country that we believe it is important that in the end. The EU and its member states talk with one voice and have a similar approach to third countries and to issues in world politics. And so, in that regard, I think, it is perfectly all right for Georgia to develop a relationship with China, which is all the EU member states have relationships with China. But the important thing is that we expect that the overall Georgian foreign policy approach will be more and more harmonized with that of the EU at large.
Tbilisi also sees economic cooperation with Russia as “highly beneficial”. How would you interpret the West’s reactions to Georgia on this issue?
The important thing again is that there is no circumvention of sanctions. That in that sense, there is no situation where a third country provides or allows the transit of goods or provides the supply of goods that we believe should not be supplied to Russia because of its war with Ukraine. And in that context, again, I think it is important that we see that Georgia does make sure that no sanctioned circumvention is taking place in the context of trade with Russia.
Do you think this is going to be a criteria for the EU to consider Georgia’s membership?
Well, again, first of all, Georgian membership is not on the agenda tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. This is a long-term process. It’s the process of accession. First of all, there has to be a decision to open the accession negotiations. And secondly, those accession negotiations are going to take many years. So, in that regard, I think it is purely theoretical to start talking about whether something is somehow a condition or not for actually joining. But I mean, something specific, in general terms, of course, what we do expect, again, what I mentioned before, is that a candidate country does ensure that its foreign policy becomes more and more harmonized with that of the European Union.
Under what conditions do you think it’s possible to unite with Abkhazia and South Ossetia? Could you tell us about the recent steps taken to resolve this issue? What is your perspective?
Well, I don’t think that this is an easy process. I think the key actor in this regard is, of course, Russia. And Russia should abide by the six-point agreement of 2008, where it committed itself to withdrawing its troops to the positions that were held prior to the conflict with Georgia. So, if Russia does that, if Russia also withdraws its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and actually starts playing a constructive role in helping Georgians, Abkhaz and South Ossetians to overcome their conflict, then, I believe, it is possible to resolve this. As long as Russia remains obstructionist and the way it is right now, not keeping its troops in Abkhazia, South Ossetia and insisting on not fulfilling its obligations under the six-point agreement. As long as that’s the case, it will be difficult to actually resolve those conflicts. Russia is a major hindrance in this regard.
There’s a judgment that Georgian society is caught between the Soviet culture, the Soviet heritage and Western influence. As a part of the Western alliance like EU and also being an observer at the same time would you agree with that judgment? Do you think is there such polarization in the country among people?
Well, I think we see that an overwhelming majority of Georgians want to join the European Union. Obviously, there will be cultural differences and different views in this context in the context of this process. But I believe that this is a process of harmonization that will last for some time but that will ultimately end with coming closer and with also society accepting and learning to value the norms that the European Union is living by. And that is, I think, also an important aspect for the Georgian government to ensure and to promote that European values and understandings are promoted in Georgian society. And I think that probably more can be done in this regard also as far as pluralism, as far as really encouraging divergent views and tolerance for minorities is concerned. I think that’s a very important aspect of European culture. And I think there is still some work to be done in Georgia.
