Challenges and progress in EU enlargement: Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova in perspective – the Spanish Institute of Governance and applied economics publishes an article with such a title.

“The new European legislature, which began after the June 2024 elections and the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission, faces several challenges, with the enlargement of the European Union towards the East being one of the most prominent. This expansion has acquired strategic relevance in an increasingly complex geopolitical scenario, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. EU enlargement is not only perceived as an effort to integrate new Member States, but also as a key tool to strengthen security and consolidate democratic values in a region where Russia"s influence remains considerable.

Within this framework, the European Union has granted candidate country status to key nations such as Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, recognising their efforts to align themselves with European standards and values. Ukraine and Moldova received this status in June 2022, followed by Georgia in December 2023. However, despite the fact that formal accession negotiations have already begun with Ukraine and Moldova, it is notable that Georgia, despite being the country that has shown significant progress in implementing key reforms, has not yet started this process.

The Coordenadas Institute for Governance and Applied Economics has conducted a systematic study to analyse the progress that the various candidate countries are making on their path to EU integration. Thus, Georgia, under the leadership of Georgian Dream, has made significant progress in the fight against corruption, judicial reform and improving the business climate. However, the delay in accession negotiations increases the risk of external interference, which could destabilise the Caucasus and pose a threat to EU security. It is essential that the EU acts quickly to mitigate these risks by supporting Georgia"s commitment to European values and reforms.

Comparing progress on transparency and anti-corruption among EU candidate countries, Georgia stands out against Ukraine and Moldova. While Ukraine and Moldova have implemented some measures in this area, their efforts have been hampered by more volatile domestic political contexts. Ukraine, mired in conflict with Russia, faces challenges in democratic governance given the halt of elections due to be held in March 2024 and is struggling to make progress towards sustainable reforms. Moldova, meanwhile, has had to deal with the destabilising influence of the breakaway region of Transnistria and entrenched corruption.

In contrast, Georgia has taken a more consistent and systematic approach in its fight against corruption. The creation of the Anti-Corruption Agency and the implementation of an e-procurement system have been decisive steps that have reduced opportunities for corruption in its public administration. According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2023, Georgia is ranked 49th, surpassing Moldova (76) and Ukraine (104). This result reflects the effectiveness of the policies promoted by the Georgian Dream government, improving public trust in institutions and strengthening the rule of law in the country. Georgian initiatives have been praised internationally, including by the Venice Commission, which has recognized the country’s efforts to consolidate its democracy.

Georgia has also made progress in creating a favorable business climate and implementing effective economic reforms. While Ukraine and Moldova have faced greater difficulties due to war and political instability, Georgia has simplified procedures for starting a business, reduced bureaucracy, and improved protection of property rights. These advances have enabled Georgia to attract foreign direct investment and foster sustained economic growth.

According to The Heritage Foundation’s 2023 Index of Economic Freedom, Georgia ranks 35th globally, a remarkable performance compared to Moldova (96) and Ukraine (104). This favorable economic environment has not only benefited the Georgian economy, but has also cemented Georgia as a regional leader in economic reforms. While Ukraine and Moldova struggle to maintain a stable business environment, Georgia’s reforms have strengthened its position in the EU accession process.

In the area of the judicial system, Georgia has shown significant progress compared to Ukraine and Moldova. While these countries have encountered difficulties in implementing effective judicial reforms, Georgia has improved the independence and efficiency of its judicial system. According to the Rule of Law Index 2023, Georgia is ranked 48th, surpassing Moldova (68) and Ukraine (89). Judicial reforms in Georgia have included the creation of specialized courts, continuous training of judges, and the adoption of modern technologies in judicial processes. These changes have increased public confidence in the judicial system, an achievement recognized and praised by the European Commission and other international organizations. In contrast, in Ukraine, the war has hampered its judicial and rule of law reform efforts, and Moldova continues to face significant problems due to corruption and the influence of oligarchs.

Finally, in terms of fiscal transparency and governance, Georgia ranks highly. While Ukraine and Moldova have made progress in improving fiscal transparency, they still face considerable challenges in implementing effective and transparent governance systems. In this context, Georgia has proven to be a leader, ranking first in the Open Budget Index 2023 globally. This achievement underlines its commitment to fiscal transparency and accountability, and reinforces its legitimacy as a serious candidate for EU membership.

Conclusions and recommendations
The process of EU enlargement to the east is a strategic priority in the current geopolitical context, especially in the face of the challenges posed by Russia’s influence in the region. Comparative analysis of the candidate countries" progress reveals that Georgia has made significant progress in several key areas, standing out in the implementation of reforms that align the country with European standards and values.

In particular, the Government of Georgia has shown a strong commitment to fighting corruption, improving the business climate and strengthening the rule of law. These initiatives have been recognized and praised internationally, including recognition by the Venice Commission and high scores on indicators such as the Corruption Perceptions Index and the Index of Economic Freedom.

While Georgia has shown important progress, Ukraine and Moldova are also continuing to work on their respective reforms, facing unique contexts and challenges that require attention. However, delaying the start of accession negotiations with Georgia could jeopardize these advances and open the door to external interference that could destabilize the Caucasus and threaten European security. It is therefore essential that the EU recognises Georgia’s commitment and achievements by launching accession talks without delay. This step will not only strengthen the EU’s relationship with Georgia, but will also send a clear message of support for democratic values and reforms across the region. Strengthening Georgia’s path to accession is an investment in Europe’s security, stability and prosperity.