Having been there my guesstimate is that they are nowhere near EU membership. They have a long way to go until they meet the minimum requirements for membership. From lingering old style Soviet...
Having been there my guesstimate is that they are nowhere near EU membership. They have a long way to go until they meet the minimum requirements for membership. From lingering old style Soviet corruption in every layer, to a downtrodden economy, and a hard block with their long standing territorial disputes.
Geopolitically speaking this is undoubtedly risky, but I'd wager the benefits gained from just the application may weigh up against that. If they actually shore up all the issues down the line, joining up would elevate their country like it has for so many economically challenged countries. It may also spur Georgia towards the EU.
Personally, seeing the success the EU has had in certain countries (Poland being the excellent example on how to benefit from an economic bloc) means I would love to extend this to others too. My country has been a net-payer from day one meaning the benefits are mostly an indirect rising tides lifting all boats kind of deal. Which is fine with me.
Having been there my guesstimate is that they are nowhere near EU membership. They have a long way to go until they meet the minimum requirements for membership. From lingering old style Soviet corruption in every layer, to a downtrodden economy, and a hard block with their long standing territorial disputes.
Geopolitically speaking this is undoubtedly risky, but I'd wager the benefits gained from just the application may weigh up against that. If they actually shore up all the issues down the line, joining up would elevate their country like it has for so many economically challenged countries. It may also spur Georgia towards the EU.
Personally, seeing the success the EU has had in certain countries (Poland being the excellent example on how to benefit from an economic bloc) means I would love to extend this to others too. My country has been a net-payer from day one meaning the benefits are mostly an indirect rising tides lifting all boats kind of deal. Which is fine with me.