“Discussions on Georgia are linked to groundless questions toward Georgia’s European course and sincerity of the Georgian government,” said EU Integration Committee Chair Maka Botchorishvili at the plenary, echoing the June 24 FAC discussions at the initiative of President Charles Michel.

According to Maka Botchorishvili, Georgia’s choice is EU integration since it is an inherent part of Europe and European values.

In her words, the “Georgian government has nothing to prove” since its correct 10-year policy brought the Association Agreement and candidate status to Georgia without “overthrows and wars.”

Maka Botchorishvili went on to say that EU member states are partners, which Georgia wants to live with based on mutual respect.

“It is not for the first time in the last four years that the criticism of Georgia, groundless accusations from outside, contribute to the opposition’s efforts to blackmail the government and strengthen the country’s instability. The falsehood-based campaigns were unsuccessful in the opposition’s goals but tarnished Georgia’s image and led to misconceptions about the country. Doubled effort is required to assert the truth when this effort should be redirected on other issues,” she said.

According to Botchorishvili, Georgia needs support to reach its goal with “dignity and peace,” while stable and peaceful development would ensure the country’s sovereign choice.

“There is no alternative to trust and dialogue between partners, and I hope this is how the relations of strategic partners with Georgia will continue,” she said, remarking on Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili’s participation in an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.