Georgian President says his country is open to dialogue with the EU, but won’t tolerate disrespect and humiliation

“We remain open to dialogue on any issue at any time. Conflicts cannot be resolved without engagement. There must be two willing sides, genuine readiness, and mutual respect to bring positions closer together. However, when we face disregard, cold shoulders, non-recognition, and patronising attitudes, that is something we will never accept,” stated the President of Georgia, Mikheil Kavelashvili, addressing relations with the European Union.

According to the President, diplomacy serves as the universal language of international relations, and dialogue is the only way forward. Nevertheless, he noted that the Georgian government continues to confront condescending and offensive behaviour from Euro-bureaucrats.

“Diplomacy is the global language, and double standards have no place within it. Naturally, every nation we meet pursues its own national interests. Aligning those interests is the next step where differences may arise, requiring constructive debate to bridge the gap. But the fundamental starting point, the elementary rule that must govern any relationship, whether with an organisation or a sovereign state, is respect for sovereignty and for the government elected by its people.

What are we witnessing here instead? We see double standards emanating from European bureaucracy.

Fortunately, we are well informed about the realities within EU member states, the divergence of views, and the absence of a unified stance, and we see how this very bureaucracy undermines the EU’s own standing. Numerous examples illustrate this, including critical warnings from the current US administration toward the EU bureaucracy, cautioning that failure to correct course could spell ruin for Europe,” Kavelashvili stated.

The President noted that the Georgian leadership has deliberately chosen restraint amidst these tensions.

“We have managed to avoid escalation. We refrain from replying to their offensive posture with the severity it deserves, because we do not view Europe or the European Union through the narrow prism of today’s bureaucrats. We understand what true European identity is. We are part of Europe; we are at the very origin of European civilisation. For centuries, our people’s desire to be part of Europe has remained firm.

However, core values matter immensely. Fortunately, Georgian society approaches these values with profound clarity, recognising them as paramount. These principles align with true European values, the very values that, regrettably, are currently being undermined elsewhere.

We stand ready for dialogue on any matter at any time. Resolution is impossible without it. It requires two sides, readiness, and respect to align positions. But when met with ignorance, rejection, lack of recognition, and condescension, we will not accept it. Neither our history nor our heritage permits us to bow our heads and tolerate insults. I am the President of Georgia, I am a Georgian, and I stand as part of an eternal nation built through the blood and sacrifice of our ancestors. We will allow no one to demean this country,” Kavelashvili continued.