“Georgia has never refused to engage in dialogue with the European Union, Georgia has never stopped the process, although we are blamed for doing so,” said Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maka Botchorishvili, during the panel session “From the Mediterranean to the Black Sea: Europe’s New Security Arc” held within the Delphi Economic Forum, currently underway in Greece.

According to the FM, using the EU integration process damages the idea of EU enlargement and accession.

“One thing that we have witnessed in the last few years, and especially following the EU membership application, I will say, though it does not please me, but European integration in Georgia is more often used as a political tool. This damages the entire process. We should avoid using EU integration as a tool. We should not use it as a weapon since it finally damages the idea of EU enlargement and accession.

This is especially complex in the geopolitical context we face in Georgia. Therefore, let us be frank and fair: Georgia has never refused to engage in dialogue with the European Union, Georgia has never stopped the process, although we are blamed for doing so. Negotiations have never been opened with Georgia. This is a European decision. We often declare that. When European leaders decide to open negotiations with Georgia, Georgia will be ready.

We acknowledge that this is not a simple process and not only a decision on the part of Europe. We know what we have to do. Foremost, this is security and stability in the country; this is the base. Speaking about anything else will be difficult without that. Preserving stability is our top priority. Economic developlent dynamics comes second, which is impressive, though we keep on working to secure this growth.

This is significant from the European enlargement perspective since a competitive country should be among the European states. Today, European countries are countries with strong economies, stronger than Georgia. From this perspective, of course, this is our goal, to become a competitive country within the European Union, and this requires many reforms,” she said.