Tbilisi to Brussels: Talk to our elected leaders if you want Georgia in EU

The European Union has cornered itself with its own decisions, and if it genuinely wants to see Georgia join the bloc, it must engage in dialogue with the country’s democratically elected authorities, Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili said.

She made the remarks in response to EU criticism over a new law passed by the Georgian Parliament, according to Georgian media reports, cited by Caliber.Az.

"Brussels has cornered itself with its own decisions, when it declared that due to the adoption of a law — a law that Parliament passed in the interests of society and the country — it would halt relations with the state. Naturally, getting out of such a deadlock that you have created yourself is no easy task," Botchorishvili stated, emphasising the difficulty of the current standoff.

She described the EU’s demand to repeal the “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence” as unacceptable, noting that the legislation is essential for Georgia’s national interests and security.

"If you are not talking to the government, how do you expect to bring the country into the EU while claiming to support its European aspirations? Therefore, such manipulative statements should probably end, and a way must be found to restore normal partnership relations based on shared interests," she added.

Bochorishvili reaffirmed that Georgia remains committed to European integration and EU accession.

"And if Brussels truly wants to see Georgia in the EU, it must naturally find a way to start a conversation on this matter with the authorities elected by the people," she said.

Addressing comparisons with other countries, the minister dismissed claims that Ukraine and Moldova are ahead of Georgia, stressing that Georgia is significantly more developed than both nations.

"When someone tells you that white is black, it’s very hard to believe, and we will not believe it. Georgia is certainly not lagging behind anyone," Botchorishvili concluded.

By Tamilla Hasanova