Georgia’s PM: Media freedom means nothing to European Parliament

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has sharply criticised European institutions, accusing them of undermining media freedom and democratic standards in remarks to journalists.

“We can see that European institutions are practically losing all semblance of credibility entirely. Freedom of the media means nothing to them. What Britain started, the European Parliament has now carried on. This is utterly shameful; the decision they have taken does not conform to any standards whatsoever. Press freedom means nothing to the European Parliament," the prime minister said, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media. 

He also compared the European Parliament to the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union. 

"What we are witnessing is a tragic state of affairs. I hope that all of this will be set right in the near future. The approach being displayed by certain European politicians is absolutely Soviet in character. It comes as no surprise to us that the politicians behind such initiatives have a highly questionable reputation and a dubious past. What we are seeing in the European Parliament speaks to wholesale degradation,” Kobakhidze said.

According to the head of government, the European Parliament has continued what he described as earlier actions initiated by Britain, though he did not provide further details on specific measures.

By Sabina Mammadli