Levan Makhashvili, Chair of the European Integration Committee of the Georgian Parliament, has addressed the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly with an open letter.

As Makhashvili observes, recent actions by the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly raise serious concerns, as they appear to be at odds with the fundamental principles and objectives outlined in the Assembly’s Founding Act and the Joint Declaration of the Prague Summit of the Eastern Partnership.

Makhashvili further noted that the multilateral dialogue, which was once widely embraced by Assembly members, has regrettably become a thing of the past.

“We are increasingly concerned by the conduct of certain Members of the European Parliament involved in the work of the Euronest PA, as well as the European Parliament as a whole, whose hostile rhetoric and actions towards Georgia contradict the principles of partnership and mutual respect that this platform is meant to uphold. Intentionally distorted and false political statements have increasingly become a common characteristic of MEPs who prefer their political affiliates in Georgia, charged in criminal offences, over facts and evidence, and more importantly, over the will of the Georgian people.

The Georgian society has seen these MEPs joining the protest rallies in front of the Georgian Parliament, exceeding the bounds of parliamentary diplomacy. Certain Members of the European Parliament, who represent EP in Euronest PA, have made statements and social media posts encouraging public unrest, radicalisation and violence in our country, whereas the EP and Euronest PA’s resolutions and reports on Georgia continue to disregard the democratic will of the Georgian people.

We are also deeply concerned by the decision to extend Euronest PA invitations to several individuals, labelled as “civil society,” even though they have been involved in, or supportive of, actions aimed at rejecting elections, undermining legitimate democratic institutions and contributing to the recent attempted overthrow of the government in Georgia. Instead of clearly distancing itself from such actions and the violence associated with them, the Assembly’s current approach grants legitimacy to actors whose agendas are inconsistent with democratic principles.

Thus, by granting these individuals a platform, the Euronest normalises and even encourages anti-democratic behaviour and facilitates the whitewashing of violent or radical political agendas. Such an outcome is entirely at odds with the core values of democracy, the rule of law, dialogue, and peace that this institution is meant to safeguard.

The fact that the majority of partner countries do not participate in the Euronest PA should serve as a serious indication that something is rotten in the state of EP’s current approach. It must reflect on whether its present path truly strengthens regional cooperation or burns the partnership bridges down. Its over-politicised approach undermines the credibility of the Assembly and the integrity of the broader partnership between the European Union and its associated states.

It was with this background that the Georgian Parliament’s delegation refrained from participating in the 12th Ordinary Session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly in Yerevan. We strongly urge the leadership of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly to reflect on these concerns and to recommit to the Assembly’s founding principles. Only through such reflection and renewal can the Euronest PA truly fulfil its mission and continue to serve as a credible platform for the Eastern Partnership and its participating nations,” reads the letter by Levan Makhashvili.