“Today, Brussels has drifted away from the fundamental values that underpin European cooperation. This shift has led to a confrontational tone, attacks, and rhetoric directed against the Georgian people,” said Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia.

According to him, instead of engaging in dialogue, Brussels appears to opt for confrontation.

“Once again, the spokesperson confirmed that Brussels itself halted the process in June 2024. They admitted to spreading a disinformation campaign and a false narrative, suggesting that the Georgian government had ceased its path towards integration. It is yet another confirmation, a candid admission that Brussels has chosen confrontation instead of pursuing dialogue; a clear departure from European values.

As Georgians understand and as we, as co-creators of these values, see them, European principles are about dialogue, conversation, understanding others’ interests, and respecting sovereignty, rather than issuing directives. Unfortunately, today Brussels has strayed from these core values, which is reflected in the confrontational tone, attacks, and rhetoric we hear directed at the Georgian people,” said Shalva Papuashvili.

He further explained that Brussels fails to uphold the fundamental principles on which European values are supposed to rest, and this is the core issue in the current relations.

“The main problem in our relations with Brussels is the inability to agree on these core values. Our values are respect for both national and democratic sovereignty, upholding the rule of law and human rights; unfortunately, Brussels has strayed from these principles in all four areas. It refuses to recognise the sovereignty of the Georgian people to choose their own government; it does not acknowledge our right to draft and implement our own legislation; and it disregards the basic principles that underpin European values.

Today, Brussels has deviated from the common European path about Georgia, attempting to impose a guardianship approach through directives, rather than allowing the Georgian people to determine their own laws and governance,” Papuashvili concluded.