For Georgia’s Pilpani: No signs GD wants real dialogue with Western partners

Georgian Dream has adopted laws over the course of a year that fundamentally contradict the Association Agreement and violate human rights and freedom of expression, said Vika Pilpani, a member of the opposition Gakharia for Georgia party.

Vika Pilpani responded to German Ambassador to Georgia Peter Fischer’s interview with Radio Liberty, in which Fischer said “most likely, at the December European Council, when the heads of state and government gather, the Georgian file will be closed.”

“This is a regrettable development, and it will be harmful for our country. However, it was expected after all the actions the Georgian Dream government has taken since 2021. Irakli Kobakhidze himself admitted that they have halted Georgia’s path toward European integration.

For an entire year, Georgian Dream has been adopting laws that fundamentally contradict the Association Agreement and undermine human rights and freedom of expression. The strategic partnership between Georgia and the European Union is built on shared commitments. When those commitments are violated, a logical consequence follows.

No matter how much Georgian Dream claims that Europe is trying to force something on us, that is simply not true,” Pilpani stated.

According to her, for a year now, representatives of the Georgian Dream have been cursing and attacking representatives of the European Union, not fulfilling any of their obligations.

“Representatives of the European Union have made it absolutely clear that they are ready to welcome Georgia into the Union if the required conditions are met—if fundamental human rights are protected and the judiciary is independent. As for dialogue, over the past year, we have seen no genuine attempt by Georgian Dream to demonstrate that it seeks real engagement with the Western world. There is not a single example of such an effort.

If the Georgian Dream government truly wanted dialogue, it would have taken every step necessary to initiate it. Instead, its actions contradict its statements,” she added.