For Georgia’s MP Shalva Kereselidze: Government 100% to blame for derailed EU integration and damaged strategic partnerships

“The Georgian government bears total responsibility for deteriorating relations with the European Union, the halting of the country’s EU integration process, and the erosion of key strategic partnerships,” opposition MP Shalva Kereselidze declared today.

Speaking on behalf of the For Georgia parliamentary faction, Kereselidze argued that the ruling Georgian Dream party’s domestic actions are fundamentally incompatible with democratic principles and European aspirations.

“We already knew that sentiment and attitudes within the EU towards Georgia were not where they ought to be. The ruling team and the government are 100 per cent responsible for this. The government alone is to blame for broken ties with the EU, stalled European integration, and damaged partnerships,” Kereselidze said.

The opposition politician pointed to political persecution, potential party bans, and the detention of political activists as evidence of the government’s departure from democratic norms.

“If a nation is moving towards democracy and genuinely desires European integration, it is incomprehensible to persecute dissent, ban political parties, and hold young political prisoners. The approach, the attitude, and the overall policy must change. But does Georgian Dream have the willingness or capacity to do so? I believe they do not,” Kereselidze emphasised.

The opposition MP accused the ruling party of prioritising its own grip on power over the nation’s security and international standing, leaving Georgia vulnerable on the world stage.

“To maintain their own power and corrupt influence, they have done everything, including turning their backs on and wrecking strategic relationships with partner states that served as guarantees for our development and territorial integrity. We were never left isolated before the occupying Russian Federation, but unfortunately, over recent years, they have shattered and ruined these vital alliances,” he added.