Georgian FM blames Brussels for strained relations with EU

Georgia has fulfilled all of its international obligations, including compliance with European Union sanctions, Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili said, adding that responsibility for the recent cooling of relations between Tbilisi and Brussels lies with the EU.

Bochorishvili said that Georgia had repeatedly faced unfair accusations from European partners in recent years, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

“For the past four years, Georgia has been unjustly accused on many occasions,” she said.

“Georgia has shown the utmost diligence in observing EU-imposed sanctions, while the European Union itself continues to struggle with sanction circumvention within its own member states.”

The foreign minister stressed that Tbilisi had not halted cooperation in any area, while decisions made by the EU had led to a slowdown in political dialogue and a cooling of bilateral ties.

Relations between Georgia and the European Union have grown increasingly strained since the parliamentary elections in October 2024, which handed a renewed mandate to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s Georgian Dream party. The EU and international observers criticised the vote for alleged irregularities and pressure on the opposition.

Following the election, Kobakhidze announced a suspension of formal accession talks until 2028, accusing Brussels of “blackmail” and interference in Georgia’s domestic politics. The decision effectively froze the country’s progress towards EU membership, which had been granted candidate status in late 2023.

The EU, in turn, has voiced concern over what it calls democratic backsliding, the controversial “foreign influence” law, and the government’s handling of civil society. Brussels has also withheld some financial assistance and scaled back high-level contacts.

Despite the tensions, Tbilisi continues to stress that EU integration remains its long-term strategic objective and says it is meeting all obligations under the Association Agreement and the bloc’s sanctions regime.

By Aghakazim Guliyev