Georgia has long been one of the most eager EU-aspirant countries in the European Neighborhood. It has, however, faced a significant setback as a result of an authoritarian turn under its current government – led by the Georgian Dream party. Putting forward twelve conditions related to democracy and the rule of law for the country, the EU only granted Georgia a membership “perspective” in 2022, even while Moldova and Ukraine received official candidate status. The European Commission (and subsequently the European Council) did eventually grant Georgia candidate status in 2023. However, progress on deoligarchization, political depolarization, media freedom, and rule of law matters remains to be seen – and may depend on whether the Georgian government is as committed to EU integration as the country’s population. We start our discussion with an assessment of Georgia’s EU’s integration process and then move on to other topics relevant to Georgia’s geopolitical orientation, including Russia’s role in its economy and security, the protracted conflicts with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Tbilisi’s relations with Beijing, as along with the country’s economic and transit potential (as well as bottlenecks), given its location at a geographical (and political) crossroads between Asia and Europe.