FM: We haven’t rejected EU integration; if Brussels wants Georgia in EU, it must talk to its elected government

“It is difficult today to discern what Brussels’ objective might be in adopting such an attitude towards the Georgian government,” Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili stated on Imedi TV.

“The elections have taken place, the Georgian people have once again chosen this government, and the choice has been made. Brussels has painted itself into a corner with its own decisions, having announced that, due to laws passed by Parliament, which were enacted in the interests of society and the nation, it would sever diplomatic relations with the country. Naturally, reversing this is not straightforward when you’ve put yourself in such a deadlocked position. The Parliament enacted the law, and you are calling for its repeal; that’s not how things work in democratic countries,” noted Botchorishvili.

According to her, the Georgian government has repeatedly expressed its willingness to engage in dialogue and its readiness to emphasise the importance of the law for the country’s interests.

“What does it mean to say ‘repeal the law’? I assure you that this is essential for the interests of my country, its security, and society as a whole. You probably remember the Prime Minister’s numerous offers: come, let’s talk, and I’ll explain why my country needs this law. Yet no one did this, no one listened.

The decision was simply that they would not speak to you. Changing this, or finding a way around it, is not easy. Let’s put it this way: Brussels has manoeuvred this process into something of an impasse, and I expect that it is they who must take certain steps for us to extract this process from the deadlock,” Botchorishvili stated.

As the Head of the Foreign Ministry noted, the process of EU accession is impossible without dialogue with the government.

“There is one other thing worth noting here. Very often, we hear high-sounding declarations that they stand with the Georgian people and support the people’s aspirations. Let’s call these statements what they are: lies. Name one country that has successfully gone through the EU accession process without Brussels engaging in dialogue with its government. If you refuse to communicate with the government, how can you possibly integrate a country into the European Union while claiming to support the aspirations of its people? So such manipulative statements should probably come to an end, and somehow we need to find a way to return to normal, partnership relations, when we proceed based on common interests,” Maka Botchorishvili declared.

The Foreign Minister confirmed that Georgia’s European path remains unchanged and that the country has not lost its desire for EU integration.

“We have not rejected EU integration, we have not rejected EU membership. If Brussels genuinely wants to see Georgia in the European Union, it must find a way to initiate discussions with the government elected by the Georgian people,” the minister stated.