**Georgian Ministry Plans to Abolish Directorate for EU Integration**
The Georgian government has faced criticism from opposition groups and international observers over its decision to halt the country’s European Union integration process. Now, a new controversy has emerged as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) plans to abolish the Directorate General for European Integration and dismiss around 250 employees.
According to Grigol Gegelia, a representative of the opposition coalition Strong Georgia, the move is a deliberate attempt by the ruling Georgian Dream party to dismantle the country’s EU integration efforts. “With this action, the criminal regime [GD government] has now formally and explicitly declared that European integration is no longer a priority for this Foreign Ministry,” he said.
Gegelia claimed that around 30-40% of the MFA staff will be dismissed as part of the restructuring process. He accused the ruling party of dismantling “what was once the most important ministry” and criticized the move as a “political purge.”
The decision to abolish the Directorate General for European Integration has sparked concerns about Georgia’s commitment to EU integration. The country had been on track to join the EU, but the GD government decided to suspend the accession process until 2028.
In addition to Gegelia’s claims, other employees have come forward with similar allegations of political retribution. Giorgi Kobakhidze, a former secretary at Georgia’s embassy in Lithuania, said he was dismissed for signing a petition supporting the country’s EU integration.
The MFA has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the information circulating about the abolition of the Directorate General for European Integration is not true. According to the Ministry, a new Political Directorate for European Affairs will be established, which will merge the Departments of Europe and European Integration.
However, the reported layoffs have raised concerns among civil society groups and opposition parties. In April, Transparency International-Georgia reported that 700 public servants had been dismissed from various state agencies on political grounds since December 2024.
The controversy surrounding the MFA’s plans to abolish the Directorate General for European Integration is another blow to Georgia’s EU integration efforts. The country’s commitment to European values and institutions has long been a cornerstone of its foreign policy, but the GD government’s decision to suspend the accession process has raised concerns about Georgia’s true intentions.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the international community will react to this latest development in Georgian politics. Will Georgia’s commitment to EU integration be restored, or will the country take a step further away from its European neighbors?
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