The EU must draw Georgia into its arms – the article with such title publishes Dr Paul. L. Vandoren is a former EU Ambassador to Croatia and former acting EU Ambassador to the Russian Federation in EURACTIV.COM.

“Georgia has an unequivocally pro-European (and pro-NATO) government, whose leaders have made no secret of their desire to join both of those exclusive Western clubs.

The government’s plans also – importantly – enjoy widespread popular support, with 80% of Georgians supporting the idea of joining both the EU and NATO. The EU is Georgia’s largest donor and strongest partner. In 2016, an ambitious Association Agreement entered into force between the EU and Georgia.

This is an act of geopolitical significance for Georgia, affirming its European identity and its strategic foreign policy priority of developing closer ties with the EU.

There is, of course, one significant complicating factor. The elephant (or, rather, bear) in the room. Currently, 20% of Georgia’s territory is occupied by Russia following the brief war in 2008 (during which, as a diplomat, I was posted to the EU Embassy in Moscow) under a previous Administration in Tbilisi.

The two countries still have no diplomatic relations, and Russia’s consistent cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns are deliberately designed to hold back the Georgian government’s push to become closer to Europe.

This is all the more reason for immediate and determined EU engagement. The geopolitical influence and power of the EU is substantially based on its ability within the wider European region to act as a magnet for countries who wish to escape from their troubled past (especially those who suffered under the Soviet Union).

Brussels must continue to ensure that countries such as Georgia see the EU as their ultimate goal”, - writes the author.