GEORGIA AND THE CAPACITY TO COPE WITH COMPETITION AND MARKET FORCES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION: EVOLUATION IN THE PRISM OF ,,COPENHAGEN CRITERIA”

The aim of the paper is to determine the compatibility of Georgia with the economic sub-criterion of the "Copenhagen criteria", such as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union. In this regard, a comparative analysis of the relevant economic indicators of Georgia and the candidate countries for EU membership and determination of the main directions for ensuring these criteria.

       Based on the 2021 evaluations of the European Commission in the direction of meeting the economic criteria for joining the European Union by the candidate countries and the comparative analysis of the official statistical data of Georgia, an opinion is expressed that Georgia as a whole meets the economic criteria set for the candidate countries, while the pace of progress is low and it is necessary to take more effective measures.