Georgia's path toward EU membership remains steady and irreversible

As Georgia prepares for local elections on 4 October, our country once again reaffirms its commitment to democratic values.

These elections are a testament to the Georgian people’s trust in democratic institutions and their enduring aspiration to live in a stable and modern state.

In the most recent parliamentary elections, the ruling Georgian Dream party received 54% of the vote — a clear signal of public confidence in our direction.

That trust continues to grow. The October local elections are not only about deciding who governs our cities and villages — they are about defending a model that delivers. Some political actors, lacking any vision beyond confrontation, are attempting to turn the democratic process into a tool for destabilisation.

But democracy is not only about protest — it is also about performance. And our government’s performance has been clear: we protect economic growth, we invest in our people, and we preserve peace in a challenging region.

Georgia is a central solution, not a peripheral player

Over the past four years, Georgia has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the wider European neighbourhood. We have delivered impressive GDP growth, brought inflation under control, expanded exports, and significantly strengthened public finances.

These results are not accidental — they are the product of deliberate, sometimes difficult choices aimed at long-term development rather than short-term headlines. Even in the face of global uncertainty, Georgia has positioned itself as a reliable and stable partner.

Today, Georgia’s strategic importance is growing rapidly. As global supply chains are reshaped, Georgia stands at the heart of the Middle Corridor — the shortest and most stable route linking European and Asian markets.

Our government is making bold investments to match this role. The Anaklia deep-sea port will be the most modern on the Black Sea. We are expanding and modernising transport, logistics, and digital infrastructure while unlocking our full potential as a green energy exporter.

In an era when Europe seeks strategic autonomy, energy diversification, and enhanced connectivity, Georgia is a central solution, not a peripheral player.

We offer partnership. We invite the international community to invest in Georgia, to work with us, and to recognise the credibility we have earned through consistency and performance.

Helping to shape Europe's future

Our path toward EU membership remains steady and irreversible. Georgia has always been a responsible partner. We continue to meet all obligations under the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the EU.

We believe that our goal of joining the European Union by 2030 is both realistic and attainable — not just because we aspire to it, but because we are doing the work to deserve it.

We are advancing reforms with patience and determination, and I am confident that, in the years ahead, the approach toward Georgia will become fairer and more merit-based, reflecting both the reforms we have undertaken and the tangible progress we have achieved.

Our foreign policy is guided by both steadfast principles and pragmatic considerations. The Georgian people fully comprehend the profound cost of war — 20% of our territory remains under Russian occupation — and we remain unwaveringly committed to pursuing a peaceful resolution, fully acknowledging that peace is the only viable path forward.

Georgia’s path is European, peaceful, and principled. We are doing our part. We remain steadfast in reform, committed to our obligations, and focused on delivering results.

As our democracy deepens and our strategic role expands, we expect our European partners to see Georgia as a country that is helping to shape Europe’s future.

Irakli Kobakhidze is the prime minister of Georgia.