Georgia rejects Europe’s dictates Economic gains, not foreign chains

A paradox has emerged in relations between Georgia and the European Union. No European country is currently demonstrating such economic growth, such a drop in unemployment, or such financial stability as Georgia. And yet, the EU has no harsher complaints against any other country.

It seems the European Union is obsessively determined to "punish Georgia for disobedience" — for resisting the externally imposed LGBT agenda, and for refusing to be a disposable pawn in someone else’s geopolitical games.

On June 26, 2025, Georgia came under a fresh wave of criticism at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). That day, debates were held on the alleged "tightening of political repression" in Georgia, including the arrests of opposition figures. European parliamentarians called for immediate sanctions against Georgian officials "involved in persecuting the opposition" and proposed filing an interstate complaint against Georgia with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) for violating fundamental freedoms.

All these accusations were made in the absence of the Georgian delegation.

Back in January 2025, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) challenged the credentials of the Georgian delegation — citing the adoption of the “foreign agents” law and a draft bill against LGBT propaganda in the country. PACE also refused to fully recognise the October 2024 parliamentary elections in Georgia as democratic, pointing to pressure on civil society and restrictions on freedom of expression.

PACE proposed to “restore all rights” on the condition that a number of demands be met: the holding of new parliamentary elections, the release of all “political prisoners,” an investigation into police violence, and the repeal of “anti-democratic legislation.” Official Tbilisi rejected these terms, calling them ultimatums, and withdrew its delegation from PACE.

A telling moment came during the speech of Austrian MEP Petra Bayr. She claimed that protests in Georgia were still ongoing (despite the fact that they had long since subsided) and condemned the government’s so-called “repressive measures.” “We must not lose hope. We must increase the pressure — to push for new elections, demand investigations into violence against activists and peaceful demonstrators, and of course, to call for the release of all political prisoners,” she said.

Similar statements were echoed by other European parliamentarians, all essentially boiling down to one message — to increase pressure on Tbilisi and force the country to accept “European conditions.” However, in Georgia, such attacks were seen as propaganda and were largely ignored.

Meanwhile, the country, which has chosen a path of defending its sovereignty and national values, is showing impressive economic results. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze made this point in his annual address to parliament on 27 June. He stressed that the economy is the main driving force behind the country’s development, improved social conditions, strengthened democracy, and enhanced international standing.

In 2024, Georgia recorded economic growth of 9.4%, with an additional 8.8% growth registered from January to April 2025. Preliminary data suggests that May’s figures remain strong. The International Monetary Fund has raised its forecast for Georgia’s 2025 growth to 7.2%, and according to the Prime Minister, the country will not only meet but surpass that projection.

Unemployment has also hit a historic low — 13.9% in 2024, down from 26.7% in 2012, when the Georgian Dream party came to power.

Among the key drivers of this economic success, the Prime Minister cited the development of Georgia’s transit potential and its involvement in Middle Corridor projects. Notably, the modernisation of the national railway is nearing completion, with its capacity set to increase from 27 to 48 million tonnes. The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway project is now 98.5% complete.

Special attention was given to the construction of the Anaklia deep-sea port. According to Kobakhidze, the first phase will be completed no later than 2029. Dredging and breakwater construction are already underway. Once operational, the port will be capable of handling over 600,000 containers annually.

The Prime Minister also accused foreign forces of attempting to destabilise the country and weaken its institutions.

"Amid external shocks, some believed the state had grown weak and decided to strike. This became evident in the events of November–December," he noted.

According to Kobakhidze, a covert campaign was waged against Georgia: funding LGBT propaganda, backing political protests, discrediting the church, and interfering in the legislative process.

“We witnessed diplomats — who have no role in lawmaking — sitting at the table with us and writing laws. Not long ago, we were even being told who should remain a minister and who should not. Today, Georgia is pursuing an independent policy, and it seems some still struggle to accept that,” the Prime Minister declared.

“We have a responsibility to our heroes, our ancestors, our country, and our society — to defend our national interests. This is the direction the government will continue to follow,” he concluded.

With this statement, Irakli Kobakhidze made it clear: there will be no response to PACE’s ultimatums. Georgia will not abandon its sovereignty or its chosen model of development.

Today, Tbilisi’s pragmatic course allows the country to maintain economic stability, avoid entanglement in foreign wars, and participate in promising international projects.

By Vladimir Tskhvediani, Georgia, exclusively for Caliber.Az