“In case you choose Georgia to be a one-party state, in case you choose for Georgia to have no political opposition, in case you choose for Georgia not to have civil society organizations operating freely, in case you choose for Georgia not to have free and independent media, there is no way Georgia can ever become a member of the European Union, not today, not tomorrow, not in 2030,” said Pawel Herczynski, EU Ambassador to Georgia.

According to the Ambassador, it is up to Georgians to decide their future.

“European Union is not taking part in Georgia’s elections. We encourage Georgian citizens, all Georgians to go and vote. This is their right. We support all initiatives, including civil society, in order to build a knowledge, and understanding of the electoral process.

Electoral education is extremely important, but the choice what party to support is only in the hands of Georgians themselves. This is for you to decide what future you want for your country, what future you want for yourselves and your children. These elections will be absolutely crucial. So I repeat, please go and vote. Your vote matters. You have the power to decide about the future of your country. And again, I have been always open and honest with you. And I’m saying this as an EU ambassador, not as a political commentator,” he said.

The Ambassador remarked that Georgians have the opportunity to become EU members but this will happen only based on the conditions that are not negotiable.

“In case you choose Georgia to be a one-party state, in case you choose for Georgia to have no political opposition, in case you choose for Georgia not to have civil society organizations operating freely, in case you choose for Georgia not to have free and independent media, there is no way Georgia can ever become a member of the European Union, not today, not tomorrow, not in 2030,” he said.