From time to time, individual EU member states, or Brussels itself, introduce new and unexpected preconditions. Such unexpected demands artificially hinder the progress of candidate countries. These preconditions often resemble political blackmail more than a constructive attitude, — stated Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, in his speech at the first (founding) conference of the Speakers of Parliaments of EU candidate countries.

According to him, the enlargement process must be merit-based.

Papuashvili noted that the achievements and progress of each candidate country should be assessed fairly, on the basis of a predictable approach, and consistently.

“The conditions for EU membership must be clear, achieved progress must be properly recognized, and intermediate targets should not be changed according to political goals. However, unfortunately, from time to time, individual EU member states, or what is even more strange, Brussels itself, set new and unexpected preconditions. Such unexpected demands artificially slow down the progress of candidate countries. These preconditions often look more like political blackmail than a constructive approach. It is obvious that they stem from the EU’s electoral cycles, internal political narratives, or disputes related to history and identity. No candidate country can manage or cope with such asymmetric power from an EU member state, knowing that any member country can block the candidate country’s progress on subjective grounds. Therefore, we must support each other in overcoming these unjustified obstacles,” said Shalva Papuashvili.